EPHA4, KIF17, OVOL1, UTF1, ADAM8 BOLL, FOXE3, GUCY1A2, and ADCY5 exhibited the same promoter methylation status in HBHC and adjacent liver tissue, suggesting that the HHC methylation is acquired during cirrhosis and chronic inflammation with persistent viral infection during the pre-cancerous state before the formation of the tumor. Here, FOXE3 is linked to neoplasm.