Combination of Durvalumab and Chemotherapy to Potentially Convert Unresectable Stage IV Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma to Resectable Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

Penile squamous cell carcinoma is a rare disease entity with poor overall survival in an advanced stage. Few studies have investigated the role of immunotherapy in advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, we report a case of stage IV unresectable penile squamous cell carcinoma presenting with anal bleeding and urethra obstruction who responded dramatically to combination therapy of durvalumab and cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The patient had HPV-positive penile squamous cell carcinoma, cT3N3M0, with concomitant anus squamous cell carcinoma. After 2 months of the combination treatment, almost all bulky inguinal lymph nodes shrank, and the main tumor of the anus and penis responded completely. A durable response was seen 16 months after initiating the combination therapy. This case report highlights the potential role of the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with advanced penile cancer. The promising results of this combination resulted in the conversion of unresectable disease to a potentially curable disease.