Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process that is associated with cancer metastasis and invasion. In cancer, EMT promotes cell motility, invasion and distant metastasis. Interleukin (IL)-8 is highly expressed in tumors and may induce EMT. The IL‑8/IL‑8R axis has a vital role in EMT in carcinoma, which is regulated by several signaling pathways, including the transforming growth factor β‑spleen associated tyrosine kinase/Src-AKT/extracellular signal‑regulated kinase, p38/Jun N‑terminal kinase‑activating transcription factor‑2, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT, nuclear factor-κB and Wnt signaling pathways. Blocking the IL‑8/IL‑8R signaling pathway may be a novel strategy to reduce metastasis and improve patient survival rates. This review will cover IL‑8‑IL‑8R signaling pathway in tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition.