Inclusion Criteria:

- Histologically or cytologically proven adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum

- Documented progressive metastatic disease

- Patients who have at least one uni-dimensional measurable lesion by CT-scan or MRI
according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST)

- WHO performance status of 0 or 1

- Adequate laboratory values of haematology, liverfunction and renal function

- No previous chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

- Past or concurrent history of neoplasm other than colorectal adenocarcinoma, except
curatively treated cancer free of disease for more than 10 years.

- Bowel obstruction or sub-obstruction. Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.

- Other severe illness or medical condition such as unstable cardiac disease under
treatment, myocardial infarction within 6 months before inclusion.

- Active uncontrolled infection

- Other concomitant anticancer agent