[Immunotherapeutic possibilities for treatment of malignant melanomas]

Principles, possibilities and limits of an immunotherapy of malignant melanoma are discussed. On account of the results of immunological investigations in melanoma patients and in animal models the immunogenicity of melanoma cells and the stage dependent immune reactivity of tumor bears seem to be certain. These facts have been the rational basis for the evaluation of an immunotherapy in malignant melanoma. Netherless these therapy trials are still in the state of clinical testing. Controlled long term studies of immunotherapy schedules under observation of the immune profile of the patients in vivo and in vitro are necessary in order to determine the place of immunotherapy within the range of oncological therapeutic possibilities.