A recombinant tumor-specific melanoma antigen. Vaccination with recombinant MAGE-3.1 antigen may induce a host immune response against MAGE-expressing cells, resulting in antitumoral T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. MAGE-expressing cells are found in melanoma, non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, and esophageal carcinoma.