Before the start of induction therapy:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Histological proof of colorectal cancer (in case of a single metastasis, histological
or cytological proof of this lesion should be obtained);

- Distant metastases (patients with only local recurrence are not eligible);

- Unidimensionally measurable disease (> 1 cm on spiral CT scan or > 2 cm on chest
X-ray; liver ultrasound is not allowed). Serum CEA may not be used as a parameter for
disease evaluation;

- In case of previous radiotherapy, at least one measurable lesion should be located
outside the irradiated field.

- Ongoing or planned first line treatment with 6 cycles of Xeloda, Eloxatin, and
Avastin.

Exclusion criteria

- Prior adjuvant treatment for stage II/III colorectal cancer ending within 6 months
before the start of induction treatment

- Any prior adjuvant treatment after resection of distant metastases

- Previous systemic treatment for advanced disease

At randomisation:

Inclusion criteria:

- WHO performance status 0-1 (Karnofsky PS > 70%);

- Disease evaluation with proven SD, PR or CR according to RECIST after 6 cycles of MTD
chemotherapy performed in week 3-4 of the 6th cycle induction therapy, and
randomisation performed in week 3-5 of the 6th cycle (see time table);

- Laboratory values obtained ≤ 2 weeks prior to randomisation: adequate bone marrow
function (Hb > 6.0 mmol/L, absolute neutrophil count > 1.5 x 109/L, platelets > 100 x
109/L), renal function (serum creatinine ≤ 1.5x ULN and creatinine clearance,
Cockroft formula, > 30 ml/min), liver function (serum bilirubin ≤ 2 x ULN, serum
transaminases ≤ 3 x ULN without presence of liver metastases or ≤ 5x ULN with
presence of liver metastases);

- Life expectancy > 12 weeks;

- Age >= 18 yrs;

- Negative pregnancy test in women with childbearing potential;

- Expected adequacy of follow-up;

- Institutional Review Board approval;

- Written informed consent Exclusion criteria

- History or clinical signs/symptoms of CNS metastases;

- History of a second malignancy ≤ 5 years with the exception of adequately treated
carcinoma of cervix or basal/squamous cell carcinoma of skin;

- Previous intolerance of XelodaR, EloxatinR, and/or AvastinR for which any of these
drugs have been permanently discontinued; patients with previous dose reductions or
delays are eligible; patients with grade 2 neurotoxicity after the 6th cycle are
eligible, and retreatment with EloxatinR after PFS1 should depend on the grade of
neurotoxicity at that moment;

- Known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency;

- (Planned) radical resection of all metastatic disease;

- Uncontrolled hypertension, i.e. consistently > 150/100 mmHg;

- Use of more than 3 antihypertensive drugs;

- Significant cardiovascular disease < 1 yr before randomisation (symptomatic
congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia or infarction, unstable angina
pectoris, serious uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia, arterial thrombosis,
cerebrovascular event, pulmonary embolism);

- Any of these significant cardiovascular events during previous fluoropyrimidine
therapy;

- Chronic active infection;

- Any other concurrent severe or uncontrolled disease preventing the safe
administration of study drugs;

- Any impairment of gastrointestinal function or -disease that may significantly impair
the absorption of oral drugs (i.e. uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (defined
as >CTC grade 2), malabsorption syndrome, bowel obstruction, or inability to swallow
tablets);

- Concomitant treatments: concomitant (or within 4 weeks before randomisation)
administration of any other experimental drug under investigation; concurrent
treatment with any other anti-cancer therapy; full-dose anticoagulation (is allowed
if started during induction therapy);

- Continuous use of immunosuppressive agents (except the use of corticosteroids as
anti-emetic prophylaxis/treatment).