Vaccine therapy for malignant melanoma

Overall survival for advanced melanoma is extremely poor, and survival with standard therapy has not improved in almost 25 years. Clinical observations suggesting an important role fur the immune system in melanoma have prompted development of experimental approaches using active specific immunotherapy (cancer vaccines). These vaccines may offer a promising new modality for the treatment of malignant melanoma. Phase II studies have established feasibility, but phase III studies have vet to reveal an unequivocal survival benefit. However, even a minimal therapeutic benefit would be justified by the low toxicity. This article provides an overview of the development of vaccine therapy for malignant melanoma.