Re-analyzing the data using a 5-gene subset of the 8 genes, TMEFF2, ZNF671, AKR1B1, MAL, and COL6A2, yielded very significant difference in methylation in plasma from patients with CRC compared to normal (Fig. 6A, B) and achieved an AUC of 1.0 [95% CI 1.00, 1.00; P < 0.0001]. Here, AKR1B1 is linked to colorectal carcinoma.