Melanoma vaccines

The identification of antigens on tumor cells has led to significant contributions to the field of immunotherapy. One of the most active areas under investigation in cancer immunotherapy is the development of vaccines against melanoma antigens. Induction of immunity against tumor antigens can follow multiple routes using different mechanisms. Crucial to the development of active immunization and other immunotherapies is the discovery and understanding of the molecular identity of antigens and the mechanisms involved in tumor immunity as well as escape from immunity. In this review, we will discuss strategies to induce active immunity against melanoma.