The role of the tumor microenvironment in penile carcinoma and emerging therapeutic concepts: A review

Fiegl A, Mink J, Junker K, Hartmann A, Eckstein M (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Urologic Oncology-Seminars and Original Investigations Elsevier

Article Number: 111008

DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2026.111008

Abstract

Penile carcinoma (PC) is a rare malignancy with substantial geographic and etiological heterogeneity. Histologically, it is stratified into HPV-associated and HPV-independent subtypes, each with distinct clinical behaviors and molecular features. Prognostic markers such as histologic tumor stage, grade, nodal involvement, and lymphovascular invasion guide therapeutic decision-making, while emerging predictive biomarkers—HPV status, PD-L1 expression, and tumor mutational burden—show potential to personalize systemic treatment. Advances in tumor microenvironment (TME) profiling have revealed immune and stromal signatures that have the potential to influence treatment response. While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) show early clinical benefits, biomarker-driven patient selection remains essential to optimize efficacy. This review summarizes current evidence on the TME in PC and novel therapeutic strategies, aiming to guide future personalized treatment strategies.

Authors with CRIS profile

August Fiegl Institute of Pathology Arndt Hartmann Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine Pathologie und Pathologische Anatomie Markus Eckstein Institute of Pathology

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes (UKS) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Fiegl, A., Mink, J., Junker, K., Hartmann, A., & Eckstein, M. (2026). The role of the tumor microenvironment in penile carcinoma and emerging therapeutic concepts: A review. Urologic Oncology-Seminars and Original Investigations. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urolonc.2026.111008

MLA:

Fiegl, August, et al. "The role of the tumor microenvironment in penile carcinoma and emerging therapeutic concepts: A review." Urologic Oncology-Seminars and Original Investigations (2026).

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