VNN2 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Among the 14 DEGs, 3 genes (CYP2C9, FTCD, and MRPL9) were protective factors with HR less than 1, while the other 11 genes (DPH2, EFNA1, EIF2B4, G6PD, HEXB, LAPTM4B, SEC61A1, SLC38A6, SLC7A11, TCOF1, and VNN2) were risk factors with HR more than 1 for HCC patients (Figure 2E).