In conclusion, our results indicated that AURKA, CCNB1, DLGAP5, and NCAPG were key hub genes and that NEB, UBE2S, FLVCR1 and HMMR were crucial detrimental prognostic genes, which could be potential biomarkers and druggable targets in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. This evidence concerns the gene DLGAP5 and hepatocellular carcinoma.