On univariate analysis, the baseline serum AFP level (≥200 vs. <200 ng/mL), tumor size (>3 cm vs. ≤3 cm), tumor number (>3 vs. ≤3), vascular invasion, BCLC stage (C or B vs. A), Child–Pugh score (6 or 7–8 or 9 vs. 5), treatment response after the first TACE (SD+PD vs. CR+PR), serum albumin, total bilirubin, and baseline NLR (≥ 5 vs. <5) were predictors of poor OS in the derivation set (Supplementary Table S1). Here, ALB is linked to neoplasm.