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NCI Drug Dictionary


Melan-A VLP vaccine 
A vaccine consisting of the melanocyte differentiation antigen Melan A (also called MART-1) encapsulated in noninfectious virus-like particles (VLPs) with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, Melan-A VLP vaccine may stimulate the immune system to exert a specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor cells expressing the Melan A antigen, resulting in tumor cell lysis. Melan A is upregulated in most melanomas. VLPs stimulate the immune system and promotes the CTL response. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)