Meta-Analysis of EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Compared with Chemotherapy as Second-Line Treatment in Pretreated Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Since efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) versus chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with pretreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain controversial, we performed a meta-analysis to compare them.) subgroups were pooled. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated on the STATA software. = 0.77). Compared with chemotherapy, EGFR-TKIs led to more grade 3–4 rash, but less fatigue/asthenia disorder, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. patients. Our findings support obtaining information on EGFR mutational status before initiation of second-line treatment