Definition

A multi-epitope vaccine containing the following six class II MHC-restricted peptides: gp100, MelanA/MART-1, two tyrosinase peptides, and the cancer/testis antigens MAGE-A3 and MAGE-A1,2,3,6, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, melanoma helper peptides induce an antigen-specific, Th1-dominant, CD4+ T-cell response, potentially augmenting cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) responses and maintaining immunologic memory against tumor cells expressing melanoma-specific antigens. The 6MHP vaccine may also induce a CD8+ T-cell response through epitope spreading, potentially priming subsequent immune responses against tumor cells.