The main hypermethylated genes associated with H. hathewayi were SOX11, THBD, SFRP2, APC, GATA5, CDX2, ESR1 and EYA4. SOX11 encodes a transcription factor, and its hypermethylation has been found in various malignancies (excluding CRC) and in the inflammatory rectal mucosa of ulcerative patients (Pugongchai et al., 2017; Tahara et al., 2017; Li X. et al., 2019; Shan et al., 2019). This evidence concerns the gene ESR1 and colorectal carcinoma.