Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting expression and/or aberrant methylation patterns in genes such as the gene DCR1 and their potential to diagnose or prognose a cancer or to predict drug resistance/susceptibility. More specifically, the disclosure relates to oligonucleotides, primers, probes, primer pairs and kits to detect genes such as the gene DCR1, and in particular, methylated forms of genes such as the gene DCR1. The disclosure also relates to pharmacogenetic methods to diagnose or prognose a cancer, to determine suitable treatment regimens for cancer, and to determine methods for treating cancer patients based on expression and/or aberrant methylation patterns in genes such as the gene DCR1.