OBJECTIVES: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide. This review aims to report on the most recent clinical and cost-effectiveness data available for five of the most often used drugs in the treatment of advanced (ACRC) and non-advanced CRC; oxaliplatin, irinotecan, bevacizumab, panitumumab and cetuximab. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed for the clinical effectiveness.  Articles were divided on type of CRC, ACRC or non-advanced CRC , and for ACRC on time point of treatment (1st, 2nd or 3rd line). If possible, data on overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were extracted.  An additional systematic review was performed to identify cost-effectiveness analyses performed for non-advanced CRC and ACRC, from which total costs, total gains (LYG or QALYs) and ICERs were extracted. RESULTS: Regarding clinical effectiveness, our search identified seven articles for oxaliplatin, six for irinotecan, four for bevacizumab five for cetuximab and four for panitumumab. The cost-effectiveness search yielded 6 articles for non-advanced CRC and 17 articles for ACRC. Clinical effectiveness has been demonstrated in the literature for oxaliplatin, irinotecan and bevacizumab, with on average approximately two to three months additional survival. Effectivness of panitumumab and cetuximab has mainly been demonstrated on PFS, where on average 2 months is gained. The ICERs of oxaliplatin for non-advanced CRC  were between £2,970 and $24,104/QALY. ICERs reported oxaliplatin and irinotecan combination therapy vs monotherapy with 5-FUin ACRC are between $10,137/LYG and £58.400/progression free LYG. ICERs for bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumub in addition to combination chemotherapy in advanced CRC, when reported, are between €17.000/LYG and $299,613/QALY CONCLUSIONS: Clinical effectiveness of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumab has been established. However, it is not clear whether the use of these drugs is also cost-effective, especially not for bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumumab.