The goal of this clinical research study is to learn if the drug leuprolide will increase the
level of immune cells in your body. Researchers will also want to know if this drug given
together with melanoma vaccines (gp100 and MAGE-3) can improve the ability of tumor fighting
immune cells (T cells) to fight melanoma cells.
Primary Objective:
1. To compare the tumor-specific immune responses to melanoma-specific peptide vaccines,
gp100 and MAGE-3 in the presence or absence of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)
agonist-Leuprolide, in patients with stage IIb and III melanoma, uveal melanoma or stage IV
melanoma that the metastatic lesion(s) has been surgically removed.
Secondary Objectives:
1. To evaluate the kinetics of enhanced thymic activity measured by TREC analysis and flow
cytometric analysis following sex hormone ablation by Leuprolide in melanoma patients.
2. To assess whether there are significant differences in overall quality of life (QOL)
between patients receiving Leuprolide to those not receiving leuprolide.