Our study found that the miR‐31/QKI‐5/p21‐CDK4‐CDK6 axis might exert important functions in the progression of NSCLC, and targeting the miR‐31/QKI‐5/p21‐CDK4‐CDK6 axis could be an effective therapeutic method for NSCLC. This evidence concerns the gene CDK6 and non-small cell lung carcinoma.