Ipilimumab for Head and Neck Cancer Patients

This study is for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). This study will test the feasibility of the administration of intratumoral injections of ipilimumab prior to surgical resection, and the immune system response to treatment.

This study will test intratumor microdosing of ipilimumab (antagonistic antibody directed to Cytotoxic T-Lmphocyte-Associated Protein 4 \[CTLA-4\]) 7-10 days prior to planned surgical resection of tumor and involved lymph nodes in patients with SCCHN. Tissue, peripheral blood, saliva and stool samples will be obtained for immunologic end points. The primary objective is to assess safety, as determined by the number of surgeries that are delayed.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with SCCHN who are planned for surgical resection and in the opinion of the surgeon are able to safely undergo tissue biopsy plus intratumoral (IT) injection in advance, with special consideration given to risk of occlusion or compression of airway or major vessels in the neck, secondary to tumor swelling, or erosion into a major vessel in the case of necrosis. * Age 18 years or above with ability to give informed consent, comply with the protocol and sign a study-specific consent document. Patients with history of psychiatric illness must be judged by the investigator as able to understand the investigational nature and risks associated with the therapy. * Any Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status deemed suitable by investigator for requirements of study, to potentially include incisional office biopsy of lesion, or image guided multiple 18g core needle biopsies (5 minimum) by interventional radiology, followed immediately by direct injection of lesion with drug. * Patients must have blood test results within protocol-specified parameters * Men must agree to not attempt to become a new father for a total of 165 days post-treatment completion * Women must agree not to become pregnant for a total of 105 days post treatment completion Exclusion Criteria: * Any clinical factors such as bleeding, active infection, colitis history or psychiatric factors that in the judgment of the investigator would preclude safe participation and compliance with study procedures. * Need for chronic maintenance oral steroids ≥ 20mg prednisone daily equivalent; inhaled steroids are acceptable. * History of or current active autoimmune diseases, \[e.g. including but not limited to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune hepatitis, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma and variants), systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune vasculitis, autoimmune neuropathies (such as Guillain-Barre syndrome), which in the judgment of the investigator pose an active and significant risk. Vitiligo and adequately controlled endocrine deficiencies such as hypothyroidism are not exclusionary.\] * Infectious diseases including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). * Patients who have had a history of acute diverticulitis, intra-abdominal abscess, GI obstruction and abdominal carcinomatosis which are known risk factors for bowel perforation, and in the judgment of the investigator still pose an active risk.