Emerging Systemic Therapies for the Management of Penile Cancer

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare cancer, but is more common in developing countries. Locally advanced and metastatic PSCC is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with the prognosis remaining extremely poor. The authors searched PubMed and published abstracts for metastatic PSCC studies to describe emerging therapies. Multimodality treatment using chemotherapy, radiation, and consolidative surgery are standard of care. Utilizing anti-EGFR therapies and novel immunotheraputic approaches may help improve outcomes in PSCC.

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There is an urgent need to incorporate novel targeted and immunotherapy agents in the treatment paradigm.

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There is an urgent need to incorporate novel targeted and immunotherapy agents in the treatment paradigm.

Given the lack of robust data from prospective trials, the use of adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered in selected patients. The guidelines from the European Association of Urology and the European Society of Medical Oncology recommend use of adjuvant chemotherapy for pN2 or greater disease, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s (NCCN) guidelines recommend adjuvant chemotherapy for lymph nodes 4 cm or greater if chemotherapy was not already administered before surgery.

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