Research and clinical trials for penile cancer
Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for penile cancer in the UK. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in.
Some of the trials on this page have now stopped recruiting people. It takes time before the results are available. This is because the trial team follow the patients for a period of time and collect and analyse the results. We have included this ongoing research to give examples of the type of research being carried out in penile cancer.
All cancer treatments must be fully researched before they can be used for everyone. This is so we can be sure that:
they work
they work better than the treatments already available
they are safe
It can be more difficult to do research into rare cancers such as penile cancer because there are fewer people to take part in them. So, compared to more common cancers there are relatively few trials.
Researchers are trying to find out the best order of treatment for men who have penile cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in the groin or the pelvis.
The aims of this study are to find out:
if having surgery after chemotherapy or after chemoradiotherapy is better than just having surgery
if having another operation to remove lymph nodes deeper into the pelvis is better than not having this operation
more about the quality of life of men with penile cancer
One of the main treatments for penile cancer is surgery. During surgery, the surgeon might remove the nearby lymph nodes.
Researchers want to compare with open surgery to remove lymph nodes in the groin during surgery for penile cancer. They want to find out how the 2 different surgeries affect .
A study group are looking at a vaccine called RNA for people with cancer that tested positive to the human papillomavirus (HPV positive). HPV positive cancers can include penile cancer.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus. There are different types of HPV and most don’t cause any serious problems. But some types, such as HPV16, can cause changes to cells that can develop into cancer.
In this trial doctors are looking at a new vaccine called RNA. It has been made in the laboratory to help the immune system to recognise and attack HPV16.
The aims of the study include finding out how well the RNA vaccine works as a treatment. The team also aim to find the highest safe dose of vaccine that can be given. And learn about the side effects.
Doctors are interested in how to improve treatment for penile cancer that has spread. To do this, they are looking at an immunotherapy drug called cemiplimab.
It is a type of drug called a monoclonal antibody. It works by triggering the immune system and helping it to attack the cancer cells.
Researchers are looking at cemiplimab on its own and with chemotherapy.
Find out more about immunotherapy
Read about cemiplimab and the side effects
Doctors would like to find new ways to monitor people more closely to help them predict who might have a problem or complication after treatment, and whose cancers might recur.
Doctors think that substances in the body that can be measured could help do this. They are called biomarkers. Doctors are looking into whether there are biomarkers that can help them monitor people before and after treatment for penile cancer as well as several other types of cancer.
Treatment teams are interested in how living with cancer affects quality of life.
Researchers are looking at the results of a survey which asked men with a conditon that affected their penis about the most important issues for them. The team want to develop a questionnaire that can measure how these issues affect their daily lives.
A study team are learning more about the challenges people face when they have prostate, testicular or penile cancer. They aim to find out how their relationships change and how couples adjust.
Last reviewed: 04 Mar 2024
Next review due: 04 Mar 2027
Treatments for penile cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment you have depends on the stage and type of your penile cancer.
Coping with penile cancer can be difficult. There are things you can do, people who can help and ways to cope with your diagnosis.
Find out about survival for different stages of penile cancer.
Coping with penile cancer can be difficult. Help and support is available to help you cope with your diagnosis.
Search for clinical trials with Cancer Research UK. Clinical trials are medical research studies involving people.
Penile cancer is cancer of the penis. It can develop anywhere on the penis but is most common under the foreskin in men who haven’t been circumcised or on the head of the penis (the glans).
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