The higher level of methylation in tumors compared to tumor-adjacent gastric tissues that was observed in GoldenGate analysis was observed again for both HOXA5 (mean difference = 16.4%, P < 0.001 by paired t-test) and WNT5A (20.0%, P < 0.001) in this independent series (Additional file 7). The gene discussed is HOXA5; the disease is neoplasm.