Our results showed that Timp2 exhibited in GC harbouring only traces of EBV infection, a considerable level of methylation similar to that observed in conventional EBER-ISH positive cases and greater than in cases not featuring any traces of EBV infection, thus confirming the tight association between EBV infection and Timp2 promoter methylation. This evidence concerns the gene TIMP2 and Epstein-Barr virus infection.