Treatment sequence with either irinotecan/cetuximab followed by FOLFOX-4 or the reverse strategy in metastatic colorectal cancer patients progressing after first-line FOLFIRI/bevacizumab: An Italian Group for the Study of Gastrointestinal Cancer phase III, randomised trial comparing two sequences of therapy in colorectal metastatic patients.

•The effect of introducing in second or third-line cetuximab after a progression to FOLFIRI/bevacizumab.•No difference in progression-free survival among the two sequences.•A trend for a better overall survival for cetuximab third-line.•An observed reduced activity of cetuximab after a first-line bevacizumab-based therapy.•This reduced activity may have relevant therapeutic consequences in patients with left tumours.