Immuntherapie des malignen Melanoms

Zusammenfassung

Das Melanom ist ein immunogener Tumor, welcher von den Immunzellen erkannt und zielgenau bekämpft werden kann. Dabei spielen neben den tumorreaktiven T-Lymphozyten auch B-Lymphozyten und NK-Zellen eine wichtige Rolle. Dank der fortschreitenden Erforschung der molekularen Mechanismen der Interaktion von Tumorzellen und Immunsystem werden die immuntherapeutischen Interventionen laufend verfeinert. Ein nachhaltiger therapeutischer Erfolg steht bislang noch aus, was nicht zuletzt den zahlreichen „immune escape”-Mechanismen des Melanoms geschuldet ist. In Zukunft wird es im Sinne einer individualisierten Medizin darauf ankommen, Patienten zum Beispiel anhand ihres HLA-Musters und/oder des Antigenexpressionsprofils ihres Tumors zu selektieren, um so das Potenzial der Immuntherapie voll auszuschöpfen.

Abstract

Melanoma represents an immunogenic tumour who can be recognized and destroyed by the immune system. This antitumour immunity is not only mediated by T cells but also by B cells and NK cells. Due to continuous research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between tumour cells and immune cells new immunotherapeutic approaches are further optimized. However, a significant clinical benefit for patients still needs to be achieved. Better selection of patients, who might respond to immunotherapy by determing the HLA status and the antigen expression profile of the tumor might help to overcome the therapeutic resistance of melanoma.

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