Immunotherapy of Malignant Melanoma

Publication of the results of a trial in which levamisole, a chemical that stimulates some components of the human immune system, had no effect on the clinical course of malignant melanoma (see the report of Spitler and Sagebiel in this issue) provides an opportunity to review the status of immunotherapy of melanoma and other cancers occurring in human beings.The available treatment for malignant melanoma is inadequate. Only 30 to 40 per cent of patients with a deeply penetrating primary lesion (Stage I) or with regional lymph-node metastases (Stage II) will survive for five years after diagnosis.¹ The absence of . . .