The DNAm probe cg06422947 was found to be located in the enhancer region, 427 kbp upstream of STAT3. The methylation level of this site showed a negative effect on STAT3 expression (betaSMR =  − 0.11) and CD onset (betaSMR =  − 0.09), while the STAT3 expression level was positively associated with the disease (betaSMR = 0.70). Here, STAT3 is linked to Cowden disease.