To observe the effects of moxibustion on CD4+ and CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of rats with gastric cancer. Methods:A total of 50 healthy SPF SD rats(half male and half female)were randomly divided into 5 groups：the blank group，the sham operation group，the model group，the moxibustion group and the infrared group，with 10 rats in each group. Solid tumor tissue derived from Walker-256 cells was transplanted into the stomach to prepare the tumor model. After modeling，moxibustion group and infrared group were treated 20 mins per day for 21 days. After the intervention，the blood from the orbits was collected. And the ratio of CD4+ and CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood was tested by flow cytometry. After killing the rats，the thymus index and the growth inhibition rate of the tumor volume were measured. Results:Compared with the blank group，the survival status of the model group was worse，the thymus index increased，and the proportion of CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood significantly increased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group，the survival status of the moxibustion group was improved，the thymus index was further increased，more necrosis and less blood vessels were found in the tumors，and the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes was increased significantly(P<0.01)，while that of CD4+CD25+ T lymphocyte was decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the infrared group，more necrosis and few blood vessels were found in the tumors，and the proportion of CD4+ T lymphocytes was increased in the moxibustion group(P<0.01). Conclusion:Moxibustion can improve the survival status of the rat with gastric tumor，inhibit tumor metastasis，promote tumor necrosis as well as prevent vessels hyperplasia. These changes may be related to the increasing CD4+ T lymphocytes and the decreasing CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes.