Androgen activity in the normal male embryonic hindbrain drives lethal PFA ependymoma

PFA ependymoma is an unusual infantile brain tumor with few somatic mutations, thought to be driven by epigenetic mechanisms. PFA ependymomas have a markedly higher incidence, and a worse prognosis in males as compared to female infants. Here we show that the cellular hierarchy of male PFA is less differentiated than female PFA. Androgen supplementation promotes the growth of PFA ependymoma. We conclude that androgen signaling in both the normal developing hindbrain, and PFA ependymoma are both necessary and sufficient to promote growth and delay differentiation.

• Type: Transcriptome Sequencing
• Archiver: European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA)