Objective To observe the short-term effect of Kangliu Zengxiao Recipe （Herbal decoction for resisting cancers） and its influence on immune function of the patients with non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） treated by chemotherapy. Methods In this prospective

randomized

and controlled trial

76 NSCLC patients were assigned to a treatment group and a control group

38 cases in each. Both groups were given navebine （NVB） and cisplatin dichloro diamine platinum （cis-DDP）. Additionally

the treatment group was administered Kangliu Zengxiao Recipe 150ml

twice a day for oral taking. Four weeks as one course

two courses in succession. Improvement of tumor size stable rate

Score of TCM syndrome

Karnofsky score

and immune function of both groups observed. Results After treatment

the tumor size stable rate of the treatment group was 89.47%

significantly higher than 71.05% of the control group （P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the improvement of TCM syndrome was 71.05%

significantly different from 36.84% of the control group （P<0.01）. The total effective rate of Karnofsky score of both groups was 92.11% and 57.89% respectively in a significant difference （P<0.01）. The level of CD3+

CD4+

CD4+/CD8+

activity of natural killer （NK） cells and interleukin 2 （IL-2） of the treatment group was increased to different degrees

while the soluble interleukin 2 receptor （sIL-2R） was significantly decreased. The self-control of the treatment group showed a statistical difference before and after treatment （P<0.05）. There was statistical difference in the increase of NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ and the decrease of sIL-2R in the comparison of the two groups before and after treatment （P<0.05）. Conclusion Kangliu Zengxiao Recipe is effective in improving the shor-term therapeutic effect of chemotherapy for the NSCLC patients

significantly relieving the clinical symptoms of essence and qi deficiency syndrome

and enhancing the immune function of the patients.