Objective To retrospectively investigate the influence of Shenyi Capsule maintenance therapy on inflammatory factors in patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods Thirty seven patients with advanced NSCLC, who had become palliative or stable after first-line treatment with combined Shenyi capsule chemotherapy, were intentionally assigned to treatment group (group A, 21 patients) and control group (group B, 16 patients). Shenyi capsule was given to group A (20mg p.o., bid) until appearance of deterioration or intolerance, while no special treatment was given to group B. Leukocytes, neutrophils, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-1α (IL-1α),interleukin-6(IL-6) and interleukin-10(IL-10) were tested by blood specimens taken respectively on 1st day and 90th day. Results There were no statistical differences (P>0.05) between the level of inflammatory factors on 1th day and 90th day in treatment group. In control group, however, TNF-α、IL-1β and IL-6 increased (P<0.001, P=0.032、P=0.001 respectively) and IL-10 decreased significantly (P=0.035). Furthermore, the level of TNF-α、IL-1β and IL-6 in treatment group were also higher (P<0.001, P=0.001, P=0.004 respectively), while IL-10 was lower (P=0.002)than control group on 90th day. There were no statistical differences(P>0.05)between the two groups in the level of IL-1α, leukocyte, neutrophils or C reactive protein on 1th day and 90th day. Conclusion Shenyicapsule maintenance therapy could lower the expression of TNF-α、IL-1β and IL-6 in patients with advanced NSCLC, which indicates that the regulation of inflammatory reaction may be one of the mechanisms of inhibition from NSCLC progression in Shenyi capsule maintenance therapy.