title: Melanoma-associated leukoderma - immunology in black and white?
abstract: Melanoma is an 'immunogenic tumor', often highly infiltrated with lymphocytes, which are capable of inducing regression of the primary tumor. The commonly observed phenomenon of regression suggests substantial cross-talk between immune cells and transformed melanocytes. An immune response to melanocyte differentiation antigens common to transformed and normal melanocytes manifests clinically at distant sites as melanoma-associated vitiligo or halo nevi. Despite similar antigenic targets, the pathogenesis and prognosis differ between the different melanoma-associated leukodermas. Understanding immunologic cross-talk between melanocytes and the immune system will aid the development of approaches to combat melanoma.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Hadas Prag
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Naveh
authors.forename: Uma N M
authors.initials: UN
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Lisa H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Butterfield
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D009506:Nevus / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012074:Remission Induction; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: immunity; leukoderma; melanocyte; melanoma; nevus; vitiligo