Background p27 is an essential mediator of cell cycle control,which plays a key negative role in the proliferation and tumorigenesis of certain cell types. Here, we designed this study to explore the possible effects of p27 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HL-60 and Raji cell lines.Methods HL-60 and Raji cells were transfected with p27 via an adenovirus-mediated approach. The efficiency of Adp27 infection and the expression of p27 mRNA and protein were evaluated by X-gal staining, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry. The proliferation and apoptosis of HL-60 and Raji cells were estimated by means of trypan blue staining, MTT assay, Annexin V/PI, and DNA ladder electrophoresis. Results The infection efficiencies in HL-60 and Raji cells were 40.3% and 32.0%, respectively. RT-PCR and flow cytometry showed that there was significant expression of p27 mRNA and protein in HL-60 and Raji cells infected with Adp27; on the other hand, uninfected HL-60 cells showed faint traces of p27 mRNA and protein and Raji cells showed nearly no signs of p27 mRNA and protein. As demonstrated by a cell growth curve and by an MTT assay, strong time-dependent proliferation inhibition was apparent in HL-60 and Raji cells infected by Adp27. After 72 hours of infection, the Annexin V+/PI- apoptotic cell rates in HL-60 and Raji cell lines were 46.9% and 35.7%, respectively, significantly higher than in the control groups (4.7% and 5.6%, respectively). Typical DNA ladder bands were detectable in HL-60 and Raji cells after 48 hours of Adp27 infection. Conclusions Adenoviral vector-mediated p27 gene transfection of HL-60 and Raji cells leads to the inhibition of cellular proliferation and the promotion of cell apoptosis. This technique may provide an approach to gene therapy for leukemia or lymphoma. Background p27 is an essential mediator of cell cycle control, which plays a key negative role in the proliferation and tumorigenesis of certain cell types. Here, we designed this study to explore the possible effects of p27 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HL-60 and The efficiency of Adp27 infection and the expression of p27 mRNA and protein were evaluated by X-gal staining, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry . The proliferation and apoptosis of HL-60 and Raji cells were estimated by means of trypan blue staining, MTT assay, Annexin V / PI, and DNA ladder electrophoresis. Results The infection efficiencies in HL-60 and Raji cells were 40.3% and 32.0 %, respectively. RT-PCR and flow cytometry showed that there was significant expression of p27 mRNA and protein in HL-60 and Raji cells infected with Adp27; on the other hand, uninfected HL-60 cells showed faint traces of p27 mRNA and pro tein and Raji cells showed nearly no signs of p27 mRNA and protein. As demonstrated by a cell growth curve and by an MTT assay, strong time-dependent proliferation inhibition was apparent in HL-60 and Raji cells infected by Adp 27. After 72 hours of infection, the Annexin V + / PI-apoptotic cell rates in HL-60 and Raji cell lines were 46.9% and 35.7%, respectively, significantly higher than in the control groups (4.7% and 5.6%, respectively). Typical DNA ladder bands were detectable in HL-60 and Raji cells after 48 hours of Adp27 infection. Conclusions Adenoviral vector-mediated p27 gene transfection of HL-60 and Raji cells leads to the inhibition of cellular proliferation and the promotion of cell apoptosis. This technique may provide an approach to gene therapy for leukemia or lymphoma.