Characterization of the Melanoma-Specific Immune Response

Arms (2)

1. label

   1

   description

   Subjects ages 18-85 years old with biopsy proven melanoma. Peripheral blood will be collected from adults ages 18-85 years old. These samples will then be used for PCR analysis and to generate melanoma-specific T cell clones. If the participant requires a palliative resection of a melanoma tumor(s) then tissue from the tumor will be used to characterize the melanoma's interaction with the immune system and to generate melanoma-specific cell lines. T cell clones isolated from participant's peripheral blood will then be assayed for in-vitro responsiveness to these cell lines. All experiments will be conducted in-vitro.

2. label

   2

   description

   Age-matched controls (no evidence of melanoma)

Primary outcomes (1)

1. measure

   melanoma - peripheral blood

   timeFrame

   2 Years

   description

   Peripheral blood will be collected from adults ages 18-85 years old. These samples will then be used for PCR analysis and to generate melanoma-specific T cell clones. If the participant requires a palliative resection of a melanoma tumor(s) then tissue from the tumor will be used to characterize the melanoma's interaction with the immune system and to generate melanoma-specific cell lines. T cell clones isolated from participant's peripheral blood will then be assayed for in-vitro responsiveness to these cell lines. All experiments will be conducted in-vitro.