Dendritic Cell Vaccination in Melanoma Patients Scheduled for Regional Lymph Node Dissection

Inclusion criteria

Histologically documented evidence of melanoma

Stage III-IV melanoma according to the 2001 AJCC criteria

Radical lymph node dissection planned, either with curative (stage III) or palliative (stage IV) intent

Melanoma expressing gp100 (compulsory) and tyrosinase (non-compulsory)

HLA-A2.1 phenotype according to lymphocyte HLA typing

ECOG performance status 0-1, life expectancy > 3 months

Age 18-75 years

Interval since last prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy at least 4 weeks, no residual toxicity of prior treatment.

WBC > 3.0 x 109/l, lymphocytes > 0.8 x 109/l, platelets > 100 x 109/l, serum creatinine < 150 μmol/l, serum bilirubin < 25 μmol/l

Written informed consent

Expected adequacy of follow-up

Exclusion criteria

No clinical signs of CNS metastases, in patients with a clinical suspicion of other metastases diagnostic tests should be performed to exclude this.

No concomitant use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents

No history of second malignancy within the last 5 years. Adequately treated basal carcinoma of skin or carcinoma in situ of cervix is acceptable within this period

No serious concomitant disease, no active infections. No autoimmune disease or organ allografts, no clinical suspicion of HIV or Hepatitis B

No contra-indications for MRI-scanning: claustrophobia, pacemaker or pacemaker threads, cerebral clips or artificial heartvalves, internal hearing prosthesis No known allergy to shell fish (contains KLH)

No pregnant or lactating women