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Brief Report: Androgen Receptor Expression Is Associated With Male Predominance in Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Christopher S Nabel1,2,3, Chad B Sussman3,4, Charles A Whittaker2
1Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
JTO Clinical and Research Reports
|March 18, 2026
Summary
Androgen receptor (AR) expression is common in male thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms, suggesting a biological basis for male predominance in these rare cancers. This finding may inform future androgen-targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare and poorly understood malignancies.
- Male predominance in thymic NENs suggests an underlying biological factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate androgen receptor (AR) expression in thymic NENs.
- To explore the relationship between AR expression and clinicopathologic features, including male predominance.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 17 thymic NEN patients.
- Immunohistochemical analysis for AR and other markers.
- Copy number analysis and gene expression profiling.
Main Results:
- AR expression was detected in 9/17 cases, exclusively in males.
- AR expression was more frequent in thymic NENs than in thymomas, thymic carcinomas, or NENs from other sites.
- No significant AR copy number alterations were found.
Conclusions:
- AR expression is significantly associated with male predominance in thymic NENs.
- These findings support further investigation into androgen-targeted therapies for thymic NENs.
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