Immunotherapy of melanoma: an update

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2011 Jan;20(1):145-63. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2010.09.004.

Abstract

The incidence of melanoma has been increasing worldwide. A relationship between melanoma and the immune system was established years ago. Modulating the immune system in the management of different stages of melanoma has been the focus of numerous large randomized trials worldwide. This article reviews the current status of immunotherapy for melanoma, with a focus on the recent promising results from using vaccines, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) antibodies, and adoptive cell therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / immunology
  • Melanoma / epidemiology
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / therapy*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Viral Vaccines

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • CTLA4 protein, human
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Viral Vaccines