title: Immunotherapy of Uveal Melanoma: Vaccination Against Cancer.
abstract: Uveal melanoma is the most frequently occurring primary intraocular tumor in adults, with an incidence of about 5 out of 100,000 per year, the incidence rising with increasing age (Lipski, Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 230:1005-1019, 2013; Metz et al., Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 230:686-691, 2013; Singh and Topham, Ophthalmology 110:956-961, 2003). Often diagnosed late due to a lack of early symptoms, this kind of melanoma is associated with a poor prognosis. Approximately 50 % of the patients develop distant metastases (Lipski, Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 230:1005-1019, 2013; Metz et al., Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 230:686-691, 2013; Singh and Topham, Ophthalmology 110:956-961, 2003). In sharp contrast to cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma shows a strong liver tropism and spreads exclusively via the hematogenous route (except for tumors with extraocular expansion) (Heindl et al., Arch Ophthalmol 128:1001-1008, 2010). The most likely reason for this observation is the lack of lymphatic vessels in the choroid and alymphatic barrier of the sclera (Schlereth et al., Exp Eye Res 125:203-209, 2014; Schroedl et al., Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 49:5222-5229, 2008). Due to its location in the immune-privileged eye, the uveal melanoma is widely protected from the immune system. Therefore, the goal of the approach presented here, of a "personalized vaccination therapy" is to help the immune system recognize and fight the tumor.
authors.affiliation: Experimentelle Immuntherapie, Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland. Mirko.Kummer@uk-erlangen.de.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kummer
authors.affiliation: Experimentelle Immuntherapie, Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schuler-Thurner
mesh_terms: D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000276:immunology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods; D000098943:Uveal Melanoma
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines
keywords: Immune system; Tumor; Uveal melanoma