[Immunology of malignant melanoma (author's transl)].

Melanoma cells carry membrane-bound antigens that induced both antibody production and cellular immunity. However, these antigens appear not to be tumor-specific, as the activity of human antisera can be absorbed out by fetal antigens. Nonetheless, the phenomenon of spontaneous regression, though mostly affecting only parts of a lesion, indicates that effective attack mechanisms do exist. Simultaneous tumor progression is due to heterogeneity of tumor cells, which vary widely in antigen expression. Cells that are not recognizable sneak through defense mechanisms and produce metastases.