[How do melanoma cells circumvent the immune response? Consequences for future therapy attempts and current biopsy processing].

Malignant melanoma can be recognized by the immune system via HLA-associated tumor-associated antigens. Nevertheless, melanoma cells circumvent immune response in most cases. The mechanisms which may be responsible are defects in the expression of HLA-class I molecules, release of soluble adhesion molecules, and secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines such as interleukin-10. Using modern techniques the individual melanoma cells can be cultured and characterized by immunological and molecular biological methods. An exact characterization of the individual tumors will result in specific immunotherapy for the individual patient.