The aim of this study was to observe the effect of clofarabine on proliferation of NB4 cells and its possible mechanism. MTT method was used to detect proliferation of NB4 cells treated with clofarabine 0.01 - 0.1 µmol/L for 48 h. The treated with clofarabine 0.01 - 0.1 µmol/L for 24 h, apoptosis rate and Bcl-2 expression of NB4 cells were measured by flow cytometry and Western blot respectively. The results showed that clofarabine inhibited proliferation of NB4 cells in a concentration-depended manner (r = 0.78). After treated with clofarabine for 24 h, apoptosis rate of NB4 cells increased and Bcl-2 expression in NB4 cells decreased obviously (P < 0.05). It is concluded that clofarabine inhibits proliferation of NB4 cells, which may be related with the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and induction of apoptosis.