Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

RNAscope for In situ Detection of Transcriptionally Active Human Papillomavirus in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
10:26

RNAscope for In situ Detection of Transcriptionally Active Human Papillomavirus in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: March 11, 2014

PRAME Expression in HPV-associated and Differentiated Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia-associated Vulvar Squamous

Eyas Alzayadneh1, Sarah E Gradecki2, Landon K Hobbs3

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.

International Journal of Gynecological Pathology : Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists
|June 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is found in vulvar squamous lesions. Higher PRAME expression in differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN)-associated cancers suggests potential for targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Molecular Pathology

Background:

  • Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is a protein repressor of retinoic acid signaling with potential in cancer diagnostics and therapy.
  • PRAME's selective tumor expression and role in immunotherapy trials make it a target of interest across malignancies.
  • Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) are conditions where PRAME assessment could inform treatment, especially given the disfigurement from extensive lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate PRAME expression in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN)-associated squamous lesions.
  • To determine if PRAME expression levels differ between HPV-associated and dVIN-associated vulvar neoplasms.
  • To explore the potential of PRAME as a biomarker and therapeutic target in vulvar cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to stain PRAME in 106 vulvar squamous neoplasms, including HSIL, VSCC arising in HSIL, dVIN, and VSCC arising in dVIN.
  • PRAME expression was quantified by the percentage of positive tumor cells, staining intensity (0-3+), and localization, with an H-score calculated.
  • Statistical analysis using Wilcoxon rank-sum or Kruskal-Wallis tests compared PRAME expression across different lesion types.

Main Results:

  • PRAME was expressed in most VSCCs (78%), with significantly higher expression observed in dVIN-associated lesions compared to HPV-associated lesions (P=0.006).
  • The highest PRAME expression was found in dVIN-associated VSCC, while the lowest expression was observed in HSIL (P<0.00001).
  • Distinct biological drivers in HPV-associated and dVIN-associated vulvar neoplasia appear to influence differential PRAME expression.

Conclusions:

  • Differential PRAME expression in vulvar squamous lesions correlates with distinct etiological pathways (HPV vs. dVIN).
  • The strong PRAME expression in dVIN-associated VSCC suggests a link to aggressive tumor behavior and highlights its potential as a therapeutic target.
  • dVIN-associated vulvar lesions show promise for PRAME-targeted therapies, potentially offering new treatment avenues for advanced vulvar cancer.
Keywords:
Differentiated vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesionHigh-grade squamous intraepithelial lesionVulvar squamous cell carcinomapreferentially expressed antigen in melanoma

More Related Videos

Use of Interferon-&gamma; Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus13:41

Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus

Published on: March 8, 2012

Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis06:57

Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis

Published on: June 14, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Cellular Adaptation IV: Dysplasia and Metaplasia01:24

Cellular Adaptation IV: Dysplasia and Metaplasia

DysplasiaDysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells, characterized by pleomorphism, nuclear abnormalities, and increased mitotic activity. It commonly affects epithelial tissues, including the cervix, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory mucosa, and endometrium. Although it may occur alongside hyperplasia, dysplasia is not a true adaptive response but a preneoplastic change with potential to progress to cancer.When confined above the basement...
Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Stratified Epithelium01:29

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Stratified Epithelium

Stratified epithelium consists of several stacked layers of cells. They provide the durability to withstand constant physical and chemical attacks. Stratified epithelium is named after the shape of the most apical layer of cells. Stratified squamous epithelium is the most common type found in the human body. In this tissue, the apical cells are squamous, whereas the basal layer contains either columnar or cuboidal cells. The basal cells divide to form new daughter cells, which gradually become...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...