ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of the first generation EGFR-TKIs versus pemetrexed as second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsDatabases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and CBM were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the first generation EGFR-TKIs versus pemetrexed as second-line treatment for advanced NSCLC from inception to June 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 20 RCTs involving 2 242 patients were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: the rate of progression free survival (PFS) in the EGFR-TKI group was superior to the pemetrexed group (HR=0.78, 95%CI 0.58 to 0.99, P<0.000 1) with significant difference. However, there was no significant difference between two groups in complete remission rate (RR=1.81, 95%CI 0.65 to 5.07,P=0.26), partial remission rate (RR=0.93, 95%CI 0.78 to 1.11, P=0.44), stable disease rate (RR=0.92, 95%CI 0.82 to 1.03, P=0.16), progression disease rate (RR=1.09, 95%CI 0.99 to 1.20, P=0.09), overall response rate (RR=0.97, 95%CI 0.72 to 1.30, P=0.84), disease control rate (RR=0.93, 95%CI 0.87 to 1.01, P=0.07) and overall survival rate (HR=0.89, 95%CI 0.74 to 1.04, P<0.572). The incidences of skin rash (RR=12.43, 95%CI 3.98 to 38.84,P<0.01) and diarrhea (RR=3.94, 95%CI 2.32 to 6.70,P<0.01) were significantly higher in the EGFR-TKI group, but the incidences of leukopenia (RR=0.19, 95%CI 0.09 to 0.41,P<0.01 ), anemia (RR=0.40, 95%CI 0.17 to 0.92,P=0.03), thrombocytopenia (RR=0.37, 95%CI 0.14 to 0.97, P=0.04), nausea and vomiting (RR=0.50, 95%CI 0.28 to 0.87, P=0.01), constipation (RR=0.30, 95%CI 0.14 to 0.64, P=0.002) were significant lower in the EGFR-TKI group than that of the pemetrexed group.ConclusionGefitinib shows some superiority to pemetrexed in second-line treatment for NSCLC, and it can be used as the second-line drug for advanced NSCLC. Due to the limited quality and quantity of included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.