Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Isolation and Characterization of Tumor-initiating Cells from Sarcoma Patient-derived Xenografts
Published on: June 13, 2019
CIC::DUX4 Sarcoma With Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) Immunopositivity
1Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, USA.
Abstract:
CIC-rearranged sarcomas are rare, high-grade, undifferentiated, small round cell sarcomas of bone and soft tissue classified by gene fusions involving the CIC gene with other gene partners, most commonly the DUX4 gene. These tumors tend to affect a wide age range, with a predilection for adult males, with the most common anatomical location being the deep soft tissues of the limbs or trunk. CIC-rearranged sarcomas have proven not only to be challenging to diagnose but also to treat due to their high resistance to conventional therapies. Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is an immunohistochemical stain that was developed primarily for the diagnosis of melanoma and has been shown to also be expressed in other epithelial and mesenchymal tumors. To date, PRAME immunopositivity has not been reported in CIC-rearranged sarcomas. Here, we report a 51-year-old male with a large gluteal undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma and bilateral lung metastases, whereby RNA sequencing confirmed the tumor as CIC::DUX4 sarcoma. Interestingly, the sarcoma demonstrated very strong PRAME immunohistochemical positivity, a diagnostic finding that has not yet been reported on CIC::DUX4 sarcomas and has potential use as a beneficial tool in the workup of a diagnostically challenging disease.
Insights
CIC::DUX4 sarcoma, a rare cancer, is difficult to diagnose and treat. This study reports strong PRAME staining in a CIC::DUX4 sarcoma case, suggesting a new diagnostic marker for this challenging disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Pathology
Background:
- CIC-rearranged sarcomas are rare, high-grade undifferentiated small round cell tumors.
- These sarcomas are challenging to diagnose and treat due to therapy resistance.
- Gene fusions involving CIC, commonly with DUX4, define these tumors.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old male presented with a gluteal sarcoma and lung metastases.
- RNA sequencing confirmed the tumor as CIC::DUX4 sarcoma.
- The sarcoma exhibited strong PRAME immunohistochemical positivity.
Findings:
- PRAME immunopositivity has not been previously reported in CIC-rearranged sarcomas.
- This case represents the first report of PRAME positivity in CIC::DUX4 sarcoma.
- The observed PRAME expression was notably strong.
Implications:
- PRAME positivity may serve as a potential diagnostic marker for CIC::DUX4 sarcomas.
- This finding could aid in the diagnosis of challenging undifferentiated small round cell tumors.
- Further research is warranted to validate PRAME as a diagnostic tool for CIC-rearranged sarcomas.
Related Concept Videos
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Abnormal Proliferation

