Immunotherapy of melanoma – past, present and future

摘要

Treatment of melanoma by immunotherapy remains a topic of much interest. Initial studies were based on stimulation of immune responses by immunisation with whole cells or lysates of whole cells. Some of these trials are still in progress but results with these or purified melanoma antigen vaccines have not been particularly effective. Recent approaches have been directed to overcoming inhibitory homeostatic mechanisms by use of antibodies which block the CTLA-4 receptor involved in downregulation of cytotoxic T cells and the activity of regulatory T cells. Adoptive immunotherapy after immunodepletion of recipients is also showing promise. Future trials that combine immunotherapy with agents that overcome resistance to apoptosis of melanoma cells may provide the breakthrough being sought in treatment of melanoma.