The significantly upregulated top nine DEPs—EFEMP1, CYP3A7, LOXL1, EFEMP2, MFI2, CHST4, CCL21, NPNT, LTBP4 and ANGPTL6, and downregulated top five DEPs—MIF2, ACE, SLC9B2, GRAMD4 and ACACB in the peritumoral microenvironment of HCC are shown in Fig. 3f and g. This evidence concerns the gene ACACB and hepatocellular carcinoma.