Insight into novel biomarkers in penile cancer: Redefining the present and future treatment paradigm?

INTRODUCTION

Biomarkers are increasingly used in the diagnosis and management of various malignancies. Selected biomarkers may also play a role in management of certain cases of penile carcinoma. In this article, we provide an overview of the clinical role of such markers in the management of penile cancer.

METHOD: This is a nonsystematic review of relevant literature assessing biomarkers in penile carcinoma.

RESULTS

Evidence of infections with human papillomavirus and its surrogate markers may have important prognostic value in patients with localized or metastatic penile cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen, p53, C-reactive protein, Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1, as well as other markers have been studied with various degree of evidence in support of clinical utility in penile cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

No single marker may have all the answers, and future research should focus on genomic analysis of individual penile tumors, attempting to identify specific targets for treatment.