APPENDIX A 
Scientific Abstract 
Scientific Abstract 
We plan to use retroviral vectors to transfer the gamma interferon (y-IFN) gene into cancer cells 
from melanoma patients. It is hoped that the resultant expression of y-IFN from the tumor cells 
will dramatically improve antigenic presentation by increasing the level of Class I major 
histocompatability complex (MHC) proteins that present antigen to the immune system. 
Additionally, subsequent tumor-specific cellular immune activation may be improved by supplying 
this versatile cytokine, y-IFN, to immune cells that are essential to combat human cancer. 
Short-term tumor cell lines from human melanoma biopsy material will be established. The cell 
culture will then be transduced with the y-IFN retroviral vector. After selection for transduced 
cells by growth in the antibiotic, G418, the cells will be tested for sterility, lethally irradiated so 
that they can no longer divide, and the y-EFN-expressing autologous tumor cells will be re-injected 
into the same patient. The study will determine safety, clinical response (tumor burden), and 
biological response (immune responses). The resultant increase in specific immunity against the 
now highly immunogenic gene-modified tumor cells may result in a significant response against 
the endogenous, unmodified metastatic tumors. 
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