Cyclin-structured kinase 8 (CDK8) performs a essential function in regulating transcription both via its affiliation with the Mediator complicated or via way of means of phosphorylating transcription factors. Myriads of genetic and biochemical research have establishedCDK8 as a key oncogenic driving force in lots of cancers. Specifically, CDK8- mediated activation of oncogenic Wnt-β-catenin signaling, transcription of estrogen-inducible genes, and suppression of exceptional enhancer-related genes contributes to oncogenesis in colorectal, breast, and hematological malignancies, respectively. However, at the same time as maximum studies helps the function of CDK8 as an oncogene, different paintings has raised the opportunity of its opposite function. The various organic features of CDK8 and its apparently context-precise roles in distinct forms of cancers have spurred a fantastic quantity of hobby and possibly an excellent greater quantity of controversy withinside the improvement of CDK8 inhibitors as ability most cancers healing agents. Herein, we overview the ultra-modern panorama of CDK8 biology and its involvement in carcinogenesis. We dissect contemporary efforts in coming across CDK8inhibitors and try to offer an outlook on the destiny of CDK8-focused most cancers therapies.