MART-1 antigen(NCI)

This pilot clinical trial studies vaccine therapy and resiquimod in treating patients with stage II-IV melanoma that has been removed by surgery. Vaccines made from peptides may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cell tumor cells. Biological therapies, such as resiquimod, may stimulate the immune system in different ways and stop tumor cells from growing. It is not yet known whether Gag:267-274 peptide vaccine and resiquimod are more effective when given together or separately

This randomized phase II trial is studying how well giving vaccine therapy together with or without recombinant interleukin-12 followed by daclizumab works in treating patients with melanoma that has spread to other places in the body. Vaccines made from peptides or antigens may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells. Recombinant interleukin-12 may kill tumor cells by stopping blood flow to the tumor and by stimulating white blood cells to kill melanoma cells. Monoclonal antibodies, such as daclizumab, may decrease the number of regulatory T cells (T cells that suppress the activation of the immmune system) and may lead to a better immune response against melanoma. It is not yet known whether vaccine therapy is more effective with interleukin-12 and daclizumab in treating melanoma.