We confirmed these data in a validation cohort of 73 colorectal cancer cases where the presence of DERL3 hypermethylation assessed by methylation specific was also associated with shorter relapse-free survival (Kaplan–Meier analysis, log rank, P=0.022; hazard ratio 2.60; 95% CI: 1.11–6.10). Here, DERL3 is linked to colorectal cancer.