In the present study, we investigated Chfr promoter methylation status in gastric cancer cell lines, primary gastric cancers and corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia, as well as in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia of noncancer-bearing stomachs to clarify both the significance and cancer specificity of Chfr promoter hypermethylation in gastric carcinogenesis. The gene discussed is CHFR; the disease is gastric cancer.