Objective Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in tumor development. Some studies have demonstrated that P-element–induced wimpy testis (Piwi)–interacting ribonucleic acids (piRNAs) participate in the progression of various cancers. However, the detailed function of piRNAs in CSCs requires further investigation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the uknown upregulated piRNA MW557525 and its predicted target gene nucleolar protein 56 (NOP56) inPiwi-like protein 2 (Piwil2)–induced CSCs (Piwil2-iCSCs).Methods We screened differential piRNAs of Piwil2-iCSCs using high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Target genes were predicted by the miRanda algorithm and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. One of the differential piRNAs, MW557525, and its target gene NOP56 were transfected and silenced in Piwil2-iCSCs, respectively. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to detect expression levels of piRNA MW557525 and NOP56 in Piwil2-iCSCs after transfection. We measured protein levels of NOP56 in different groups via Western blot (WB), verified interactions using a dual luciferase reporter assay (LRA) and investigated the effect of piRNA MW557525 and NOP56 on Piwil2-iCSC proliferation using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). In addition, we evaluated cell migratory and invasive abilities via transwell assay and detected cell apoptotic ability via flow cytometry (FCM) assay. Protein levels of Cluster of Differentiation 24 (CD24), CD133, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and sex-determining region Y–related high-mobility group (HMG) box 12 (SOX2) were measured to evaluate the change in Piwil2-iCSC pluripotency after transfection.Results Via HTS, we screened out 204 differential piRNAs, and miRanda predicted 77 target genes. GO analysis showed that the biological processes (BPs) of these target genes were mainly involved in regulating the calcium concentration of cells and their molecular functions (MFs) were mainly involved in ATPase activity.The expression of piRNA MW557525 and NOP56 were significantly upregulated,and piRNA MW557525 was negatively associated with NOP56 in Piwil2-iCSCs. PiRNA MW557525 promoted proliferation, migration, invasion and pluripotency and inhibited apoptosis, while NOP56 suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion and pluripotency and induced apoptosis, in Piwil2-iCSCs.Conclusion Taken together, these findings suggested that piRNA MW557525 promoted and maintained the vitality and pluripotency of Piwil2-iCSCs, while NOP56 inhibited these characteristics. Therefore, piRNA MW557525 might be a novel therapeutic target in Piwil2-iCSCs.