Epigenetic alterations resulting in DNA hypermethylation may silence tumor suppressor genes normally acting as inhibitors of oncogenic signaling pathways, such as Wnt, Notch, JAK/STAT, or Ras/MAPK pathways, whereas epigenetic deregulation resulting in DNA hypomethylation activates the genes encoding for these oncogenic signaling pathways. The gene discussed is SOAT1; the disease is neoplasm.