In studies regarding hepatitis virus-related HCC, Kiran et al (28) investigated promoter region methylation of a panel of six tumor suppressor genes: p16 (INK4a), p15 (INK4b), CDH1, glutathione S-transferase P (GSTP)1, SOCS1 and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). This evidence concerns the gene SOCS1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.