Optimized Chemotherapy Followed by Maintenance With Bevacizumab With or Without Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer That Cannot be Removed by Surgery (DREAM)

MAIN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

* Histologically proven metastatic adenocarcinoma of colon or rectum
* Documented inoperable disease (i.e., not suitable for complete carcinological surgical resection)
* Measurable lesion as assessed by CT scan or MRI in at least one dimension (longest diameter to be recorded) ≥ 20 mm with conventional CT scan or ≥ 10 mm with spiral CT scan
* No previous therapy for metastatic disease
* No history or evidence upon physical examination of CNS disease (e.g., non-irradiated CNS metastasis, seizure not controlled with standard medical therapy, or history of stroke) unless adequately treated
* No exclusive bone metastasis
* ECOG performance status 0-2
* WBC ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelets ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
* Hemoglobin \> 9 g/dL (may be transfused to maintain or exceed this level)
* Proteinuria \< 2+ by dipstick OR ≤ 1 g of protein on 24-hr urine collection
* Bilirubin \< 1.5 times ULN
* Alkaline phosphatase \< 3 times ULN
* No peripheral sensory neuropathy
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective means of contraception (oral contraceptives, intrauterine contraceptive device, barrier method of contraception in conjunction with spermicidal jelly, or surgically sterilization)
* No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 1
* No clinically significant (i.e. active) cardiovascular disease
* No evidence of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy
* No serious, non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
* No significant ophthalmologic abnormality
* More than 28 days since prior major surgical procedure or open biopsy