20 HCC-associated genes (p16, RASSF1A, GSTP1, p14, APC, RUNX3, SOCS1, CDH1, p15, WIF1, PRDM2, SFRP1, RARβ, p73, hMLH1, DLC1, p53, SPINT2, OPCML and WT1) hypermethylation showed significant evidences between HCC tumor tissues and adjacent tissues to the risk of HCC. Here, SOCS1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.