Objective To evaluate the therapeutic results and the toxicity of the combination of arsenic trioxide and the Chinese TraditionaI Jianpiliqi(JPLQ)formula in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)．Methods Patients with advanced HCC．and not suitable for resection but with normal maior organ functions，were enrolled to receive a therapeutic regimen consisting of intravenous arsenic trioxide(6 nq【g／m )administration from days 1-1 4，and an oral administration of JPLQ formula twice daily from days 1．28． Each cycle was composed of 28 days and treatment could expand up to 4 cycles if no evidences of intolerable toxicity or disease progression．Tumor responses were evaluated every 2 cycles，and patients were followed up for one year．Result Thirty—two patients(84．4％ male，median age 5 1)received a total of 101 cycles(median，4)of treatments．One(3．1％)patient had partial response，one(3．1％)had minor response，l 5(46．9％)showed stable disease and l5(46．9％)had disease progression．Overall responses were：total disease control rate was 53．1％． median survival time was 5．8 months(2—23．9 ms)，and median time to progression was 4．2 months f1．16．9 months)．The maj or toxicities included depression of bone marrow and gastrointestinal reactions．The incidences of grade l and 2 leukocytopenia，thrombocytopenia and anemia were 46．9％ (1 5／32)，3 1-3％ 0 o／32)and 43．8％ (14／32)，respectively．The incidences of grade 1-3 abdominal distention and nausea／vomiting were 65．6％ and 37．5％，respectively．Glutamic—pyruvic transaminase increases were found in 4 patients(2 grade 2，1 grade 3，and l grade 4)and serum creatinine increases in 2 patients(I grade 3 and l grade 4)，respectively．Conclusion Compared with the single arsenic trioxide treatment reported in past literature，treatment by arsenic trioxide combined with JPLQ showed modestly higher anti—tumor activity and tolerable toxicity in patients with advanced HCC；its manageable toxicity and increased tumor response rate may ofer a better treatment regimen，and deserve further investigation．