Update on active specific immunotherapy with melanoma vaccines.
Although a randomized clinical trial has yet to show a statistically significant improvement in the survival of patients receiving vaccine therapy for malignant melanoma, several studies have shown enhanced survival of patients developing an immune response to a melanoma vaccine. The knowledge and techniques of modern molecular biology and immunology suggest multiple strategies to augment this response. The challenge of immunotherapy research is to determine which combination of approaches leads to a favorable clinical response and how to monitor that response effectively. This review identifies components of a successful vaccine, discusses new ways to modulate and stimulate the immune system, and summarizes some of the more interesting clinical trials of melanoma vaccine immunotherapy.
Conforti
A M
AM
Roy E. Coats Research Laboratories, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA.
Ollila
D W
DW
Kelley
M C
MC
Gammon
G
G
Morton
D L
DL
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active / Q000639:trends; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines