Inclusion Criteria:

- Signed written informed consent, prior any study-specific procedures

- Male or female > = 18 years of age

- Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum with metastatic
disease not eligible for surgery with curative intent – in case of a unique
metastatic lesion this should be confirmed by biopsy

- ECOG performance status < 1 at study entry

- Immunohistochemical evidence of EGFR expression on tumour tissue

- Presence of at least one unidimensional measurable lesion with a diameter > 20mm by
conventional CT scan or MRI, and 10mm by spiral CT scan, according to the RECIST
criteria (Index lesion(s) must not lie within an irradiated area)

- Have not received any Chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease

- Life expectancy of > 3 months

- Neutrophils > = 1.5 x 109/L, platelet count > = 100 x 109/L, and haemoglobin > = 9
g/dL.

- Bilirubin level either normal or 1.5 x ULN

- ASAT and ALAT < = 2.5 x ULN (< = 5 x ULN in case of liver metastasis)

- Alkaline phosphatase < = 2.5 x ULN or < = 5 x ULN in case of liver metastasis or < =
10 x ULN in case of bone metastases

- Serum creatinine < = 1.5 x ULN or CrCl > 50 ml/min (Cockroft and Gault formula)

- Negative Pregnancy test within one week before treatment start, if applicable

Exclusion Criteria:

- Previous chemotherapy for metastatic CRC or adjuvant therapy with oxaliplatin or
irinotecan.

- Adjuvant or neo-adjuvant therapy with 5 FU or derivatives is allowed if the
chemotherapy treatment free interval is > 6 months and the patient have not
progressed during treatment

- Surgery (excluding diagnostic biopsy) or irradiation within 4 weeks prior to study
entry

- Prior radiotherapy is permitted if it was not administered to target lesions selected
for this study

- Concurrent chronic systemic immune therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy not
indicated in the study protocol

- Any investigational agent(s) within 4 weeks prior to entry

- Previous exposure to EGFR-pathway targeting therapy

- History of evidence upon physical examination of CNS disease (e.g. primary brain
tumour, seizure not controlled with standard therapy, any brain metastasis or history
of stroke)

- Clinically relevant coronary artery disease or a history of a myocardial infarction
within the last 12 months

- Serious uncontrolled intercurrent infections, or other serious uncontrolled
concomitant disease

- Acute or subacute intestinal occlusion or history of inflammatory bowel disease

- Pre-existing neuropathy > grade 1

- Known grade 3 or 4 allergic reaction to any of the components of the treatment.

- Any concurrent malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer, or carcinoma in situ
of the cervix. (Patients with a previous malignancy but without evidence of disease
for > = 5 years will be allowed to enter the trial)

- Known drug abuse/ alcohol abuse

- Legal incapacity or limited legal capacity

- Medical or psychological condition which in the opinion of the investigator would not
permit the patient to complete the study or sign meaningful informed consent

- Pregnant or lactating women

- Sexually active males and females (of childbearing potential) unwilling to practice
contraception during the study

- Lack of physical integrity of the upper gastrointestinal tract or those who have
malabsorption syndrome

- Known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency