BACKGROUNDChemotherapy is a common way to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The response rate of chemotherapy is only 20%-50%, and the side effects are serious. To improve efficacy and quality of life and to reduce side effects of chemotherapy become main tasks of clinical researches. The aim of this study is to evaluate GP regimen alone and GP regimen combined with Kanglaite on the efficacy, side effects and the improvement of quality of life in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

METHODSRandomly fifty patients with NSCLC in stage III and IV were treated by GP regimen combining with Kanglaite, and fifty patients were treated with GP regimen alone. Kanglaite was used on the first day of each chemotherapy cycle for consecutive 10 days, and the dosage was 200ml/d. GP regimen included gemcitabine 1000mg/m² on 1st and 8th days and cisplatin 80mg/m² on 2nd day. The treatment was repeated every three weeks. The efficacy, side effect and quality of life were compared after two cycles of chemotherapy.

RESULTSResponse rate was 52% in combining group and 32% in control group. The rates were different between the two groups (Chi-square=4.04, P < 0.05). Quality of life in combining group was significantly higher than that in control group after treatment (t=2.8, P < 0.05). The incidence of side effects in combining group was lower than that in control group, and the degree was also slighter.

CONCLUSIONSKanglaite in combination with GP regimen can be used for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. It can improve efficacy and the quality of life, and reduce the side effect of chemotherapy.