Trial Information

Summary: This study involves the injection of certain peptides and an immune system stimulating substance to try to stimulate the immune system to recognize and kill melanoma tumor cells.

Melanoma tumors may produce specific proteins. Tyrosinase, Melan-A, MAGE-10 and NY-ESO-1 are melanoma associated proteins produced by melanoma cells. These proteins are also produced by pigmented cells (tyrosinase, Melan-A) or by the testis (MAGE-10, NY-ESO-1) but not in any other normal tissue. Fragments of these proteins, called peptides, can be used as a vaccine to try and stimulate the immune system to recognize and kill melanoma tumor cells. The present study combines five of these peptides in a single vaccination protocol.

GM-CSF is a substance that can stimulate the immune system in a non-specific manner. When used together with tumor specific peptides, the specific immune response to the peptide may be enhanced.

For the immune system to recognize the specific peptides, they must be associated with specific molecules on the cell surface called Human Leukocyte Antigens (HL-A). The HLA molecule relevant to the present study is HLA-A2.

Adult patients over 18 years old with high risk or metastatic melanoma who are HLA-A2 positive will be eligible for this study. Patients must be HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C negative.

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Trial listings updated: February 25, 2008 at 2:27:00 PM