ACTIVE SPECIFIC IMMUNOTHERAPY OF MELANOMA

Active specific immunotherapy, or the use of tumor 'vaccines', attempt s to stimulate the patient to reject his or her tumor. Nowhere has thi s approach been utilized more than in melanoma, often with encouraging results. The best results have occurred in the setting of minimal res idual disease after resection of the primary tumor and involved lymph nodes, but responses have also been obtained in disseminated disease. Prolonged survivals of several yea rs have been achieved in both setti ngs, particularly the former, with little toxicity attributable to the treatment. Genetic and biochemical approaches promise considerably im proved preparations of 'vaccines', with defined components and improve d activity within the immediate future.