Circular RNAs (circRNAs) as a new class of non-coding RNAs that are associated with cancer progression and can serve as potential markers for cancer diagnosis. However, the functions of circRNAs have not been completely clarified in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our study aimed to explore the expression profiles and apoptotic role of circRNAs in NSCLC.Forty-one NSCLC patients and twenty-six healthy subjects were recruited to our study. The levels of hsa_circ_0102533 in tumor tissues and whole blood were identified by circRNA microarray and RT-qPCR. The CCK-8 and apoptosis assays were performed in NSCLC cell lines after they were transfected with si-circRNA and si-NC.Compared with the control group, hsa_circ_0102533 expression was significantly increased in tumor tissues and whole blood from NSCLC patients. ROC analysis showed that hsa_circ_0102533 had a higher diagnostic power for the detection of cancer in stage I-II NSCLC patients [AUC: 0.774 (95% CI: 0.624-0.923)] than in stage III-IV NSCLC patients [0.728 (95% CI: 0.588-0.869)]. Furthermore, the knockout of hsa_circ_0102533 by siRNA significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in NSCLC cell lines.Hsa_circ_0102533 possesses an oncogenic property in the carcinogenesis of NSCLC and might be an early diagnostic biomarker for NSCLC detection.