The review discusses the role of Melanoma-Associated Antigens (MAA) and their antibodies as clinical and therapeutic markers in melanoma, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy monitoring. It emphasizes the importance of B-lymphocytes in the immune response against melanoma and the complexity of immune interactions within the tumor microenvironment. The article also explores recent advancements in immunotherapy, including the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and personalized mRNA vaccines targeting specific tumor antigens.
Original Description
Melanoma-Associated Antigens (MAA) are correlated with tumor development, progression and metastatic dissemination. MAA can be targeted in immunotherapy by specific antibodies or by cytotoxic T-cells. MAA are actually self-antigens and, thus, are weak immunogens because they induce various degrees of immune tolerance. Four families of MAA are involved in clinical monitoring and therapy efficacy, such as: melanocyte lineage/differentiation antigens, oncofetal/cancer-testis antigens, GAGE antigens