OBJECTIVE To study the side effects and therapeutic results of autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell treatment in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer.METHODS CIK cells were induced and cultured using biotechnics in vitro, and then the ceils were infused back into the patients. Sixty elderly gastric cancer patients treated by chemotherapy (FOLFOX4 protocol) were followed-up. Among them, 29 patients were treated with CIK cells during application of chemotherapy. Short-term curative effects and adverse events from the CIK transfusion and chemotherapy were observed.RESULTS Eight cases developed partial remission (PR), 9 cases moderate remission (MR), 7 cases stable disease(SD) and 5 cases progressive disease (PD). Out of a total of 29 patients who received chemotherapy combined with autologous CIK therapy,the total remission rate (PR + MR) was 58.6%. The total remission rate following chemotherapy alone was 45.2%, including 5 PR cases, 9 MR cases, 7 SD cases, and 10 PD cases. There was a relatively lower rate of severe chemotherapic toxicities in the CIK-cell transfusion group. Side effects of autologous CIK transfusion included chilis (13 cases), fever (9 cases), nausea and vomiting(1 case) and general malaise (3 cases). Side effects were treated with conventional therapy resulting in their amelioration. No patients developed shock, blood capillary leakage syndrome, or abnormalities in routine blood, urine, liver and renal function tests.CONCLUSION Adoptive immunotherapy with autologous CIK cells may decrease the clinical signs and symptoms of elderly patients who suffer from advanced gastric cancer. Adverse reactions of patients can be alleviated by conventional therapy.Autologous CIK-cell transfusion may improve endurance to chemotherapy.