Joren Vanthoor1, Gigi Vos1, Maarten Albersen2. 1. Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. 2. Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. Maarten.albersen@uzleuven.be.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Penile cancer (PeCa) is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis in advanced disease. There is still a limited understanding of the biological mediators that are important in the prognosis and therapy of the disease. This review aims to provide a summary of the immune micro-environment, molecular oncogenesis and the role of HPV in the disease applying to the potential of the use of immunotherapy. METHODS: Narrative, non-systematic review based on publications retrieved by PubMed and EMBASE search. RESULTS: The molecular mechanisms underlying penile carcinogenesis are complex, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a well-characterized driver of penile cancer. Up to 50% of the penile carcinomas are HPV related. There is potential to improve prevention, treatment and follow-up strategies pertaining to the role of HPV in penile cancer. Immune response modifiers such as toll-like receptor agonists are being used in a topical fashion for penile intraepithelial neoplasia while immune checkpoint inhibitors are currently under clinical investigation for its application in penile cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of prognosis-relevant biological pathways in penile cancer is expanding. HPV plays an important role in the carcinogenesis. This can lead to the identification of therapeutic targets which could significantly influence the prognosis of advanced penile cancer. Clinical trials are being conducted to pave the way for immune-modifying treatment modalities.
PURPOSE:Penile cancer (PeCa) is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis in advanced disease. There is still a limited understanding of the biological mediators that are important in the prognosis and therapy of the disease. This review aims to provide a summary of the immune micro-environment, molecular oncogenesis and the role of HPV in the disease applying to the potential of the use of immunotherapy. METHODS: Narrative, non-systematic review based on publications retrieved by PubMed and EMBASE search. RESULTS: The molecular mechanisms underlying penile carcinogenesis are complex, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a well-characterized driver of penile cancer. Up to 50% of the penile carcinomas are HPV related. There is potential to improve prevention, treatment and follow-up strategies pertaining to the role of HPV in penile cancer. Immune response modifiers such as toll-like receptor agonists are being used in a topical fashion for penile intraepithelial neoplasia while immune checkpoint inhibitors are currently under clinical investigation for its application in penile cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of prognosis-relevant biological pathways in penile cancer is expanding. HPV plays an important role in the carcinogenesis. This can lead to the identification of therapeutic targets which could significantly influence the prognosis of advanced penile cancer. Clinical trials are being conducted to pave the way for immune-modifying treatment modalities.
Entities:
Keywords:
Human papillomavirus; Imiquimod; Immunotherapy; Penile cancer
Authors: Oliver W Hakenberg; Eva M Compérat; Suks Minhas; Andrea Necchi; Chris Protzel; Nick Watkin Journal: Eur Urol Date: 2014-11-01 Impact factor: 20.096
Authors: Gabriel Viliod Vieira; Fernanda Somera Dos Santos; Ana Paula Lepique; Carol Kobori da Fonseca; Lara Maria Alencar Ramos Innocentini; Paulo Henrique Braz-Silva; Silvana Maria Quintana; Katiuchia Uzzun Sales Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2022-06-21 Impact factor: 6.575
Authors: Inmaculada Ribera-Cortada; José Guerrero-Pineda; Isabel Trias; Luis Veloza; Adriana Garcia; Lorena Marimon; Sherley Diaz-Mercedes; José Ramon Alamo; Maria Teresa Rodrigo-Calvo; Naiara Vega; Ricardo López Del Campo; Rafael Parra-Medina; Tarek Ajami; Antonio Martínez; Oscar Reig; Maria J Ribal; Juan Manuel Corral-Molina; Pedro Jares; Jaume Ordi; Natalia Rakislova Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2021-12-27 Impact factor: 5.923
Authors: Tynisha S Rafael; Jossie Rotman; Oscar R Brouwer; Henk G van der Poel; Constantijne H Mom; Gemma G Kenter; Tanja D de Gruijl; Ekaterina S Jordanova Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-02-19 Impact factor: 4.241