NCIt definition : A tumor-associated melanocytic differentiation antigen. Vaccination with MART-1 antigen
may stimulate a host cytotoxic T-cell response against tumor cells expressing the
melanocytic differentiation antigen, resulting in tumor cell lysis. (NCI04);
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A protein found on normal melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin)
in the skin and in the retina. It is also found on most melanomas (cancers that begin
in melanocytes). Vaccines using pieces of the MART-1 antigen are being studied for
their ability to boost the immune response to cancer cells in patients with melanoma.;
See also inter- (CISMeF)