Immunotherapy of uveal melanoma. 2012

Jacobus J Bosch
Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.

Uveal melanoma is a malignancy with exceptional features for treatment with immunotherapy. Primary uveal melanoma can be treated with a variety of therapies that may limit the growth of the primary tumor in the eye and partially preserve vision. However, none of these treatment modalities prevents the development of metastases, which predominantly arise in the liver and universally remain fatal. Novel therapies are being explored for their effectiveness against uveal melanoma metastases and immunotherapy may be a potential option as an alternative or adjunctive treatment, even in the prophylactic setting. Uveal melanoma may be particularly responsive to T-cell-based immunotherapy because it originates in the immune-privileged eye. The localization of the primary tumor in the immune-privileged eye excuses the tumor cells from continuous immunological pressure. This may render primary uveal melanoma more immunogenic than tumor cells from non-privileged sites and allow expression of novel tumor antigens to which the patient's endogenous T cell repertoire is not tolerized. The clinical and genetic differences between cutaneous and uveal melanomas underscore the need for immunotherapy specifically designed for uveal melanoma patients. In this review, the current developments in the field of immunotherapy for uveal melanoma are discussed, with a special emphasis on T-cell-based strategies.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007155 Immunologic Factors Biologically active substances whose activities affect or play a role in the functioning of the immune system. Biological Response Modifier,Biomodulator,Immune Factor,Immunological Factor,Immunomodulator,Immunomodulators,Biological Response Modifiers,Biomodulators,Factors, Immunologic,Immune Factors,Immunological Factors,Modifiers, Biological Response,Response Modifiers, Biological,Factor, Immune,Factor, Immunological,Factors, Immune,Factors, Immunological,Modifier, Biological Response,Response Modifier, Biological
D007166 Immunosuppressive Agents Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging. Immunosuppressant,Immunosuppressive Agent,Immunosuppressants,Agent, Immunosuppressive,Agents, Immunosuppressive
D007167 Immunotherapy Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. It includes both active and passive immunization as well as immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection. Immunotherapies
D008545 Melanoma A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445) Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014604 Uveal Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the UVEA. Neoplasm, Uveal,Neoplasms, Uveal,Uveal Neoplasm
D016896 Treatment Outcome Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series. Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes

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