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Background: Nuclear factor κB (NFκB) is involved in oncogenesis and development. Inhibiting its activity may affect cancer cell growth. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of inhibitor κB transfection on proliferation and tumorigenesis of human lung cancer cell line H460., Methods: H460 cells were transfected with adenovirus expressing inhibitor κBα or LacZ (AdIκBα/AdLacZ) and cell viability was detected. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin-V/PI stain and caspase 3 activity measurement. In (vivo) tumorigenesis test was performed in nude mice inoculated with transfected H460 cells. The therapeutic effect of AdIκBα was evaluated in the inoculated tumors. p65, p53 and VEGF expressions were detected in implanted tumor tissues by immunohistochemical stain., Results: AdIκBα transfection significantly inhibited the proliferation of H460 cells. Apoptosis and expression level of caspase 3 in 30 MOI AdIκBα transfection group were remarkably higher than those in control groups (P < 0.05). In vivo study showed tumor incidence was significantly lower in 30 MOI AdIκBα transfection group than that in virus control group (P=0.012). For established H460 tumors, intratumoral injection of AdIκBα could significantly inhibit the tumor growth. Immunohistochemical stain showed VEGF expression was decreased in 30 MOI AdIκBα transfection group and p65 activity was blocked in H460 cells by AdIκBα transfection., Conclusions: AdIκBα transfection can inhibit the growth of H460 cells, as well as tumorigenesis. It might be due to both blockade of NFκB activity and inhibition of VEGF expression, which would be independent of p53 expression.