OBJECTIVES:
* Determine whether supplemental treatment with mistletoe increases immune function (as determined by total lymphocyte count, eosinophil count, and lymphocyte subset analysis) in patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy.
* Determine the tolerability of this drug in these patients.
* Correlate immune function and quality of life in patients treated with this drug.
OUTLINE: This is an open-label, non-randomized, multicenter study.
Patients receive mistletoe subcutaneously three times a week for 15 weeks.
Dose of mistletoe is increased at weeks 2 and 3 and then every 3 weeks until a maximum response is seen, dose-limiting toxicity occurs, or the study ends.
Quality of life is assessed at baseline and at weeks 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Not specified
