Objective:To explore the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Methods:From October 2008 to March 2011,58 operable patients with stageⅡ~Ⅲc gastric cancer received DOX as neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery,and 58 cases of advanced gastric cancer that were not treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the corresponding time period were designated as the controls and underwent surgery within two weeks. According to status of the patients and the principles of standard treatment for gastric cancer,they received postoperative chemotherapy. Results:In the chemotherapy group,there were 5 CR cases,36 PR cases,16 SD cases,and 1 PD case. The total effective rate was 63.8%. The R0 resection rate was significantly higher than that in the control group(87.9% vs 63.8%,P < 0.05). The effective rate of esophagogastric cancer(EGC) was higher than the distal gastric cancer(83.3% vs. 55.0%,P < 0.05). The most common side effects were granulocytopenia,gastrointestinal tract adverse reaction,and periphery neurotoxicity. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications(3.4% vs 1.7%)between the two groups. The one-year survival rates of the two groups were both 100%. The two-year survival rate in the chemotherapy group was significantly higher than that in the control group(75.8% vs 55.1%,P < 0.05). Conclusion:The efficacy of DOX as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer especially EGC can reduce the tumor size and tumor stage as well as improve R0 resection rate and overall survival.