Tumor cells and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have similar transcription mechanisms. LIN28A is an important factor in tumor cells and ESCs, it is an inhibitor of intracellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‑related protein translation in ESCs. The present study aimed to examine the effects of LIN28A on an ER‑related protein, lysosome‑associated membrane glycoprotein 1 (LAMP1), in human bladder cancer cells and mouse (m)ESCs, using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting to detect the expression of LAMP1 mRNA and protein, respectively, following LIN28A knockdown. LIN28A was revealed to promote the proliferation, migration and invasion in human bladder cancer cells. These data suggested similarities between ESC cells and cancer cells and may provide novel ideas for the use of induced embryonic stem cell differentiation to treat tumors.