In response to growing numbers of melanoma cases, the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center has established Central and Eastern Kentucky's first multidisciplinary outpatient melanoma clinic. Patients at the new clinic. We've created an antibody that mimics a tumor antigen that will create an immune response against this antigen. The vaccine, a simple injection, is safe and relatively non-toxic, says Foon, with swelling at the injection site being the only side effect reported by patients. Patients who have a melanoma greater than one millimeter in depth are eligible for the vaccine following surgical removal of the melanoma.
Monthly injections continue indefinitely.
About 70 patients have received the vaccine so far, nearly half of whom have been treated at the Markey Cancer Center. It's working well. Still, the vaccine's impact on survival of melanoma patients won't be known for years, says Foon. Kim Cumbie is a senior information specialist for the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. All rights reserved.