Patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum, with unresectable measurable metastatic disease, were enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio.
Patients were assigned to receive FOLFOXIRI (experimental arm) or FOLFIRI or FOLFOX4 (control arm) biweekly up to 12 cycles.
Randomization was done by enclosed envelope method Evaluation of the patients for surgical resection of residual metastases was done every 12 weeks. In the case of secondary resection of metastases, patients completed with the same chemotherapy regimen received before resection up to 12 cycles Maintenance therapy with capecitabine for 6 months was administered for patients who achieved complete or partial tumor response. In case of disease progression, second line chemotherapy was then administered in both groups until tumor progression, the occurrence of an unacceptable adverse event, or patient refusal
