CIC-DUX sarcomas demonstrate frequent MYC amplification and ETS-family transcription factor expression

Abstract

Recent molecular advances have identified a novel, clinically aggressive subgroup of undifferentiated round cell sarcomas defined molecularly by oncogenic fusion of the gene, CIC, and either DUX4 or its paralog, DUX4L, herein termed CIC-DUX sarcomas. Morphologically, CIC-DUX sarcomas are round cell sarcomas with high-grade nuclear features, including vesicular chromatin and nucleoli, patchy clear cell foci, myxoid change, and necrosis. Here, we studied a cohort of 10 cases, including 6 newly identified cases, 2 with paired metastases. Given our prior observation of trisomy 8 in these tumors, we assayed for amplification and expression of MYC (c-Myc) and representative downstream targets. Trisomy 8 was detected in 5/7 testable cases, with further amplification of MYC locus in 6/7 testable cases and immunohistochemical expression of MYC in 10/10. The canonical MYC transcriptional target, p21, but not MTDH, was differentially expressed compared with Ewing sarcomas. Given prior observation of induction of ETS-family transcription factors by the fusion oncoprotein, we assayed and identified highly prevalent positivity for ERG (9/10) and FLI1 (8/8). These findings are cautionary regarding use of these immunostains in prospective case workup, whereas the prevalent MYC amplification may represent a therapeutically targetable oncogenic pathway in CIC-DUX sarcomas.