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Cancer research

Penile Cancer Study Reveals Promising Biomarkers for Prognosis and Treatment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in European Urology Open Science has made significant findings in the realm of penile cancer, indicating that certain biomarkers can serve as indicators for prognosis and treatment. Researchers at Orebro University in Sweden examined the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), T-cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT), and cluster of differentiation 155 (CD155) in primary tumors of patients with penile cancer. The study also investigated the status of human papillomavirus (HPV) in these patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • 75% of patients had PD-L1-positive tumors, 80% had TIGIT-positive tumors, and 98% had CD155-positive tumors, indicating high expressions of checkpoint proteins.
  • Patients with HPV-positive tumors had better survival rates compared to those with HPV-negative tumors.
  • Low PD-L1 expression levels were associated with better survival rates in patients who received perioperative oncological therapy.
  • The study suggests that these biomarkers can be used to improve treatment for patients with penile cancer, particularly in those with lymph node metastasis.
  • The investigations used 52 patients who underwent surgical treatment between 2009-2018, with HPV status determined by polymerase chain reaction and tissue microarray sections subjected to immunohistochemistry to evaluate PD-L1, TIGIT, and CD155 expression.
  • The study's main limitations include the small sample size, retrospective design, and use of tissue microarrays rather than whole tissue sections.
  • The research was conducted by Peter Kirrander and his team at Orebro University, with additional authors including Emma Ulvskog, Erik K. Persson, Gabriella Lillsunde-Larsson, Luiza Dorofte, Tania Franceschini, Michelangelo Fiorentino, and Sabina Davidsson.

Statistics:

  • 52 patients were included in the study, who underwent surgical treatment between 2009-2018.
  • 47% of patients had HPV-positive tumors.
  • 75% of patients had PD-L1-positive tumors.
  • 80% of patients had TIGIT-positive tumors.
  • 98% of patients had CD155-positive tumors.
  • Patients with HPV-positive tumors had a better prognosis compared to those with HPV-negative tumors.

Sources:

  • "Expression of PD-L1, TIGIT, and CD155, and Human Papillomavirus Status in Patients with Advanced Penile Cancer" by Peter Kirrander, et al., published in European Urology Open Science, Volume 79, 2025, pp 102-110.
  • NewsRx. Report Summarizes Penile Cancer Study Findings from Orebro University (Expression of PD-L1, TIGIT, and CD155, and Human Papillomavirus Status in Patients with Advanced Penile Cancer). Health & Medicine Week. September 5, 2025; p 4327.

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