SPP1 and neoplasm: Notably, among DEGs, specific genes associated with tumor growth and EMT (HBEGF, TGFBI, CXCL8)20,21, angiogenesis and tumor invasion (VEGFA, SPP1, MMPs)22, immune suppression/M2 polarization (MRC1, MSR1, CD163)23, and immune cell recruitment/survival (MIF, CSF1R)24 were upregulated in metastatic LN group (Fig. 3C).