Protection is achieved by using primary tumor cells to stimulate tumor-specific T cells that eliminate metastatic tumor cells. These lymphocytes will possess the ability to eliminate metastatic tumor cells. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop a tumor cell vaccine that protects ocular melanoma patients from developing metastatic tumors. Gene transfer of the CD80 costimulatory molecule into ocular melanoma cells using a novel episomal vector. Melanomas that develop within the eye inhibit lymphocyte proliferation.
Uveal melanomas contain antigenically specific and non-specific infiltrating lymphocytes.
The tumor-specific T cell response to ocular melanomas. In Zierhut M, Thiel HJ, eds. Immunology of the Skin and Eye.