Insights into the management of penile squamous cell carcinoma: from conventional approaches to emerging novel therapies.

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC), a rare genitourinary cancer, is associated with poor outcomes due to limited treatment effectiveness, especially in advanced stages.

While chemotherapy and/or surgery remain the standard of care, emerging therapies like immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and human papillomavirus (HPV) directed therapies show promise. Key to advancing treatment is understanding the immune microenvironment to gain insights into tumor resistance mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The scarcity of data on PSCC is a major obstacle in advancing research for this rare cancer.

Future research should prioritize collaborative efforts across various research centers and countries. Enhancing data sharing and pooling resources can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of PSCC, ultimately supporting the development of precision medicine strategies tailored to this specific cancer type. This collaborative approach is essential for making significant strides in PSCC treatment and care.

Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy. 2024 Mar 29 [Epub ahead of print]

Houssein Safa, Chiara Mercinelli, Philippe E Spiess, Andrea Necchi, Jad Chahoud

Department of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA., Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy., Department of Genitourinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.