Objective  To observe the effects of parenteral nutrition during chemotherapy on the immune function of advanced gastric cancer patients.

  Methods  Sixty-three advanced gastric carcinoma patients were admitted to People's Hospital of Rugao City between March 2008 and September 2010. Thirty-six patients in the observation group received parenteral nutrition during chemotherapy, whereas 27 patients in the control group received chemotherapy without parenteral nutrition. The curative effects, average chemotherapy cycles, and progression-free survival were observed. The nutritional states and lymphocyte subclusters of patients were also detected.

  Results  The near-future curative effects of the two groups were not significantly different. However, the average chemotherapy cycle and progression-free survival of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group. The nutritional states of the patients in the observation group were significantly better after chemotherapy, and their immune functions notably improved compared with those of the control group.

  Conclusion  For advanced gastric cancer patients, parenteral nutrition during chemotherapy can improve their nutrition status and immune functions, enable them more tolerant to chemotherapy and help for achieving better treatment effect.