Innovative systemic therapies for penile cancer.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

The purpose of this review is to look at recent advancements and treatment options of systemic therapies to treat penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC). PSCC is a rare cancer that remains with limited funding for research and systemic therapy development. This review aims to discuss the most recent advancements in systemic treatments and our understanding of PSCC.

RECENT FINDINGS:

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and adjuvant therapy remain integral parts of treatment in locally advanced PSCC. New potential drug regimens are being studied to expand on the availability of first-line regimen options. There has been a large development in discoveries of cellular pathways and immune system targets as potential treatment options but these therapies as of today have limited trial evidence and currently have no support to be used in a clinical setting.

SUMMARY:

PSCC is a rare genitourinary cancer with limited treatment options for patients with advanced disease that is refractory to chemotherapy. Although many new therapies targeting the immune system and cellular pathways are being developed for other studies, clinical and translational research for PSCC are still understudied and underfunded.

• Authors: Jad Chahoud, Rachel Pham, Guru Sonpavde
• Journal: Current opinion in urology (Curr Opin Urol) Vol. 32 Issue 1 Pg. 8-16 (01 01 2022) ISSN: 1473-6586 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 34738984 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (drug therapy, pathology)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Humans
• Immunotherapy
• Male
• Penile Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Therapies, Investigational