Therefore, the identification of more specific and sensitive biomarkers for its early diagnosis and treatment remains an urgent need.<h4>Methods</h4>Total RNAs from paired HBV-derived HCC tumors and adjacent peritumor tissues (APTs) were subjected to RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HCC tumors and APTs were selected and verified.<h4>Results</h4>We identified 166 DEGs and found that eight top-ranked and verified DEGs (TK1, CTTN, CEP72, TRIP13, FTH1, FLAD1, CHRM2, AMBP) all contained putative OCT4 binding motifs in their promoter regions. This evidence concerns the gene FTH1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.