Melanoma Antigens and Immunological Markers

Abstract

Melanoma cancer derives from transformed skin melanocytes. This malignant disease can be completely cured if it is identified at early stages, but no treatment exists for advanced stages of melanoma. Progression of the disease involves overexpression of intracellular or cell-surface protein and carbohydrate-derived molecules, as well as ectopic expression of normal genes and mutated proteins. In addition, specific molecules are secreted by the melanoma tumor cells that can be identified in the patient's serum. Some of these molecules have been found to induce a specific immune response by T and B lymphocytes. Antibodies raised against some of these antigens can be used for diagnosis and staging of the disease, and for prognosis and evaluation of treatment efficiency. Stimulation of an antimelanoma immune response by antigen-specific immunization has been investigated, but so far it has had only moderate success. It is expected that efficient immunotherapy of melanoma will eventually be feasible, based on the existence of adequate target antigens and new insights into the immune regulation of the tumor microenvironment. This article describes the different melanoma-associated antigens, some of which are presently in use or are expected to serve as tools for melanoma research, diagnostics, and immunotherapy.