Objective To explore the effects of lentivirus-mediated RNA interference targeting HOXA10 gene on the proliferation, apoptosis and drug resistance of leukemic cell line NB4.Methods NB4 cells were divided into three groups: interference group, negative control group and untreated group.The infection efficiency of lentivirus for NB4 cells was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of HOXA10 gene of NB4 cells at mRNA and protein level was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot.Cell survival was determined by MTF assay, and apoptosis and necrosis rates were detected by flow cytometry.Western blot was used to detect the influence of down-regulation HOXA10 gene on the multi-drug resistance-1 (MDR-1) protein.Results The ratio of GFP positive cells was up to 90 ％.HOXA10 gene mRNA and protein levels were decreased in interference group compared with control group.The inhibition rate of interference group was (52.12±4.02) ％, the apoptosis rate of interference group was (30.0±2.7) ％, and their differences in the interference group and in control groups (negative control group and untreated group) were significant (P ＜ 0.05).Western blot results showed that interfering HOXA10 gene significantly reduced the resistance gene MDR-1 expression level and reverse the drug-resistant of leukemia cells.Conclusions Lentivirns-shHOXA10 can steadily reduce the expression level of HOXA10, inhibit the leukemic cells proliferation, promote apoptosis and reverse drug-resistant.HOXA10 gene is expected to become a new target for reversing leukemia drug resistance.