Presently melanoma still lacks adequate treatment options for metastatic disease. While melanoma is exceptionally challenging to standard regimens, it is suited for treatment with immunotherapy based on its immunogenicity. Since treatment-related skin depigmentation is considered a favourable prognostic sign during melanoma intervention, this study aimed at the reverse approach of directly inducing vitiligo as a shortcut to effective anti-melanoma immunity.
The study confirms an effective and simple to use form of immunotherapy, which eradicates melanome by vigilantly incorporating NK-, B- and T cells in its therapeutic effect. Based on these results, this powerful new approach presents a high-yield, low-cost and simple therapy, readily applicable in the clinic.
The full study, conducted by JG van den Boorn, et al, at the Department of Dermatology and the Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, is published in PLoS One.
