A cell-based cancer vaccine composed of autologous dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with both a lysate from autologous melanoma cells containing tumor associated antigens (TAAs) and a synthetic peptide derived from the tumor associated antigen human cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1, with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, autologous melanoma lysate/NY-ESO-1-pulsed autologous DC vaccine may stimulate the immune system to mount anti-tumoral cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and antibody-mediated immune responses against melanoma cells, which may result in melanoma cell lysis. NY-ESO-1 is expressed in normal testes and on the surfaces of various tumor cells, and plays a key role in tumor cell proliferation and survival.