Twenty-eight variables were included in the LASSO regression analysis: demographic status (age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, and family history), complications (ascites, encephalopathy), routine blood tests (WBC, NLR), liver function (ALT, AST, TBIL, ALB, ALP, GGT, Child-Pugh, MELD score), kidney function (serum creatinine), coagulation index (INR, PTA), viral replication (HBV DNA), tumor-related indicators (AFP, tumor number, largest tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, portal vein tumor thrombosis, and BCLC staging), and serum sDR5 level. Here, ALB is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.