The cytoplasmic staining intensity for HMGB1 was significantly higher in WHO type B1, B2, B3 thymomas and TC compared to WHO types A and AB (p<0.001), whereas the nuclear staining intensity for HMGB1 was significantly higher in WHO type A and AB thymomas compared to WHO types B1, B2, B3 and TC (p<0.001; table 1). Here, HMGB1 is linked to thymoma.