Study of Heat Shock Protein-Peptide Complex (HSPPC-96) Versus IL-2/DTIC for Stage IV Melanoma

Eligibility Assessment:

(The following assessments must be obtained within three weeks prior to randomization into the study)

* Medical history and physical examination (including EGOG score, evidence of immunosuppression);
* CT/MRI of the chest, abdomen and pelvis;
* Clinical examination;
* CT/MRI of the brain;
* Complete Blood Count with differential including platelets;
* Electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, HCO3, Ca, Mg, PO4);
* Renal function tests (BUN and creatinine);
* Liver function tests (bilirubin, AST, ALT);
* Serum pregnancy test for all women of childbearing potential.

Inclusion Criteria:

* Stage IV Melanoma (AJCC);
* No prior therapy for stage IV melanoma;
* No prior therapy with interleukin-2 and/or dacarbazine/temozolomide within the past 12 months prior to study entry;
* Candidate for surgical resection of some/all sites of melanoma and expected to obtain greater tan or equal to 7 grams of viable cancer tissue (in aggregate), which is equivalent to a greater than or equal to 2 cm lesion on CT/MRI or clinical examination;
* No brain metastases;
* ECOG score 0 or 1;
* Adequate cardiac function;
* Adequate hematopoietic, liver and renal function;
* Female subjects of child-bearing potential must agree to use contraception during the study
* Signed written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Mucosal or ocular melanomas;
* Other malignancies treated within the last five years, except in situ cervix carcinoma or non-melanoma skin cancer;
* Primary or secondary immunodeficiency, in the opinion of the investigator (including immunosuppressive disease, or use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications);
* Prior splenectomy;
* Uncontrolled infection or other serious medical illnesses;
* Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding;
* Subjects participating in any other studies requiring administration of an investigational drug/biologic agent.