Finally, lysates from a subgroup of 24 patients were assessed by Western blotting and we found a considerable correlation of PON2 and β-catenin protein levels in these samples (tumor / benign mucosa) (Spearman r = 0.8313; 95% CI = 0.6363-0.9265; p<0.0001; Pearson r = 0.7693; 95% CI = 0.5304-0.895; p<0.0001; Figure 7C). This evidence concerns the gene PON2 and neoplasm.