[Photoimmunology of melanoma]

Several epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to ultraviolet radiation and immunological responsiveness of the host contribute to the etiology of melanoma. In addition, a growing experimental evidence indicates a stimulant effect of ultraviolet radiation and a high immunogenicity of melanocytic tumors. These findings lead to the hypothesis of an ultraviolet-induced alteration of the immune response that decreases the host-resistance to melanoma antigens.