| Abstract: |
Summary: Incidence of melanoma, a malignant disease of pigment producing melanocytes, has climbed dramatically in recent years. Ultraviolet radiation probably plays a role in disease pathogenesis. The process of melanoma progression is better understood than that of most human cancers. It is generally accompanied by specific chromosomal alterations and changes in the expression of growth factors, their receptors and other cell surface molecules. While surgery can cure the majority of patients with melanoma, current therapies for metastatic disease are not widely effective. However, since melanoma patients often exhibit a potential weak immune response to the disease, an understanding of melanocyte biology, particularly antigen expression, is leading to new therapeutic strategies. Several promising immunotherapies, including the use of cytokines, anti-melanoma antibodies, and vaccines, are currently under investigation. © 1996 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
