OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Astragalus injection (AI) combined with chemotherapy on quality of life (QOF) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung caner (NSCLC).

METHODSSixty-NSCLC patients were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 30, treated with AI combined with chemotherapy) and the control group (n = 30, treated with chemotherapy alone). Chemotherapy of MVP protocol was applied to both groups. AI was supplemented to the treated group by intravenous dripping 60 ml per day. Treatment of 21-28 days as one treatment cycle, and 2-3 treatment cycles were applied.

RESULTSThe effective rate in the treated group was 40.0% and in the control group was 36.7%, the mean remission rate in the treated and control group was 5.4 months and 3.3 months, the median survival period 11 months and 7 months, and the 1-year survival rate 46.75% and 30.0%, respectively, the differences of these indexes between the two groups were all significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, the clinical improving rate and QOF elevation rate in the treated group was 80.4% and 43.3%, as compared with those in the control group (50.0% and 23.3% respectively), the difference was also significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAI combined with chemotherapy can significantly improve the QOF in NSCLC patients of advanced stage.