Peptide-pulsed vs. RNA-transfected Dendritic Cell Vaccines in Melanoma Patients

Inclusion Criteria: For both stage III and IV * Histological proof of cutaneous melanoma * Melanoma expressing both gp100 and tyrosinase, each in approximately 20% or more of cells by immunohistochemistry staining, * HLA type A2 and/or A3, with known HLA-DR4 expression, * WBC \> 3.0 x 109/l, lymphocytes \> 0.8 x 109/l, platelets \> 100 x 109/l, serum creatinine \< 150 μmol/l, serum bilirubin \< 25 μmol/l. * Expected adequacy of follow-up, * Written informed consent. For Stage III only * Stage III melanoma according to the 2001 AJCC criteria. * Start of treatment within 2 months of lymph node dissection for melanoma stage III For stage IV only -Stage IV melanoma according to the 2001 AJCC criteria. Limited tumor burden; LDH \< 2x upper limit of normal Exclusion Criteria: For both stage III and IV * No autoimmune disorders, no concomitant use of immunosuppressive drugs, * no serious concomitant disease, no serious active infections, no other malignancy in the past 5 years with the exception of curatively treated carcinoma in-situ of the cervix/squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, * No known allergy to shell fish (contains KLH) are excluded. * No pregnancy or lactation, For stage III only: * No signs or symptoms of distant metastases as defined by normal history, physical examination, chest X-ray and serum LDH. * No concomitant or previous systemic treatment for melanoma For stage IV only: * No clinical signs of CNS metastases, in patients with a clinical suspicion of CNS metastases, a CT scan of the brain should be performed to exclude this. * No prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy within three months before planned vaccination is allowed.