ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with sorafenib and TACE only treating the intermediate or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Chinese people. MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data for randomized controlled trials (RCT) on TACE combined with sorafenib (TACE combined with sorafenib group) and TACE (TACE alone group) from inception to December 2014 were searched. The literatures and data were screened and extracted. The meta analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. ResultsSix RCTs involving 498 patients with HCC were included. The results of meta analysis showed that the objective response rate[OR=2.28, 95% CI (1.52-3.42), P < 0.000 1] and the disease control rate[OR=6.62, 95% CI (4.12-10.65), P < 0.000 01] were higher, the 1-year survival rate[OR=3.27, 95% CI (2.06-5.22), P < 0.000 01] and 2-year survival rate[OR=4.55, 95% CI (2.28-9.07), P < 0.000 1] were longer, the safety and tolerability of adverse reactions were better in the TACE combined with sorafenib group as compared with the TACE alone group. ConclusionsIn Chinese people, compared with TACE alone group, TACE combined with sorafenib group have higher objective response rate, disease control rate, 1-year survival rate, and 2-year survival rate. However, due to the lower quality of included literatures, these conclusions should be treated cautiously.