In the tumor tissues, fully, partially or unmethylated alleles of Numb were detected in 16/30 (53.3%), 11/30 (36.7%) and 3/30 (10%) cases, respectively, whereas in the paired non-tumorous tissues, 0/30 (0%), 9/30 (30%) and 21/30 (70%) cases were identified correspondingly, which supported that methylation of Numb has a role in hepatocarcinogenesis (Fig. 1E). The gene discussed is NUMB; the disease is neoplasm.