Abstract: Objective 　To investigate the effect s of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor nimesulide (NIM) combined with etoposide (VP-16) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human lung cancer. Methods 　Human lung cancer A549 cells were incubated and the studies were done as follows : ①NIM (25μmol/ L) combined with VP-16 (2～32μg/ mL) coincubated with A549 cells for 48h, the cell proliferation status and proliferation inhibition rate were detected by MTT reduction assay. ②The cells were divided into control group, NIM (25μmol/ L ) group, VP-16 (8μg/ mL ) group and NIM + VP-16 group . The cells growth activity was observed by growth curve as cells coincubated for 12h, 24h, 48h, and the cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytomet ry. Results 　①VP-16 could inhibit A549 cells proliferation in a concent ration dependent pattern, which was enhanced as combined with NIM. NIM and VP-16 acted in a synergistic or additive pattern. ②NIM and VP-16 could induce A549 cells apoptosis effectively and the antitumor effects were augmented as they combined. Conclusion 　NIM combined with VP-16 can enhance the effects of growth inhibition and apoptosis induction and they play a synergistic anti-tumor effect in lung cancer cell.