This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This study is being conducted to determine the safety, side effects, and toxicity of a vaccine that consists of tumor-pulsed dendritic cells in patients with metastatic melanoma. The source of the tumor is from the patients own melanoma. It has been shown that the immune cells called dendritic cells can provide lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) with the two signals they require in order to become fully activated and acquire the ability to kill cancer cells. Another reason this study is being conducted is to determine if the vaccine causes an immune response in cancer patients and if this immune response results in tumor shrinkage. Patients will be randomized (a process similar to the flipping of a coin) to one of three treatment groups, Group A, Group B, or Group C. All patients will receive the same amount of tumor-pulsed dendritic cell vaccine. Patients randomized to Group B or C will also receive treatment with Interleukin-2 (IL-2) immunotherapy. Interleukin-2 is drug that has been shown to stimulate the immune system. Group B will receive IL-2 by subcutaneous injection (under the skin) as an outpatient. Group C will receive IL-2 intravenously (into a vein) as an inpatient.
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