Hao G. Nguyen, MD, PhD

Invited discussant Hao G. Nguyen, MD, PhD, of the University of California, San Francisco, said: “New treatments are needed for advanced penile cancer. PERICLES is the first randomized trial for patients with stage IV penile cancer treated without chemotherapy. Although this prospective trial failed to meet its primary endpoint, the study demonstrated some durable and complete responses in this advanced disease, where there is a high risk of mortality.”

Progression-free survival and overall survival rates were slightly better in patients with PD-L1–positive and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive disease. “It is interesting to note that the two patients in cohort B [atezolizumab-alone arm] who responded well to treatment were both PD-L1–positive and high-risk HPV-positive,” Dr. Nguyen said. “The fact that stage IV PD-L1–positive lesions disappear with atezolizumab could be an important finding in terms of selecting patients who may benefit from immunotherapy,” he added.

“More research is needed to assess PD-L1 positivity and high-risk HPV as biomarkers for advanced penile cancer. Future studies should stratify patients according to PD-L1 status and HPV status,” he said. 

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Nguyen reported no conflicts of interest.