During the last 10 years many melanoma antigens recognized by T cells have been molecu-larly characterized. This review summarizes the main features of these antigens, including both classes I and II HLA-restricted peptides, and describes their classification into diverse groups according to the tissue distribution of the antigens. The different
in vitro and
in vivo immunogenicity of such antigens is then discussed leading to the conclusion that Melan-A/MART-1 is the strongest among those tested being frequently recognized by patients' T cells both
in vitro and
in vivo. However, no correlation was found between T-cell response of melanoma patients to Melan-A/MART-1 and clinical response when it was used for vaccination. Data are also presented that suggest, through an
ex vivo analysis carried out with tetramers staining of melanoma-specific T cells, that only in a limited number of advanced patients does a specific immune response develop. This response, however, appears unable to effec-tively counteract metastatic melanoma growth.
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