Interestingly, the hypermethylation levels of the four candidates were considerably increased in HCC subgroups associated with HBV infection (with and without cirrhosis) compared to HCC subgroups associated with HCV infection (with and without cirrhosis), suggesting a high diagnostic value of the four candidates APC, COX2, RASSF1A, and miR-203 in HCC associated with HBV infection. This evidence concerns the gene PTGS2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.