Single-cell transcriptomic profiling reveals distinct tumor microenvironments in HPV-associated penile squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare yet potentially lethal malignancy, often resulting in devastating disfigurement, with a 5-year survival rate of only ∼50%. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is implicated in approximately half of PSCC cases and is associated with improved clinical outcomes; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Methods

To elucidate HPV-associated differences in the tumor microenvironment, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on tumors from 11 treatment-naïve PSCC patients, analyzing a total of 52 980 single cells. Unsupervised clustering identified 49 distinct cellular clusters across immune and stromal compartments.

Results

HPV-positive tumors exhibited an increased abundance of mast cells and a r

SUBMITTER: Zhu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12421235 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature