MDX-010 in Treating Patients With Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• Stage IV disease
• Locally (invasion of adjacent structures, including mesenteric arteries or organs) or distantly metastatic disease
• Unresectable disease
• Pancreatic adenocarcinoma with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm allowed
• The following diagnoses are not allowed:
• Acinar cell carcinoma
• Pancreaticoblastoma
• Malignant cystic neoplasms
• Endocrine neoplasms
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Vater and periampullary duodenal or common bile duct malignancies
• Clinically evaluable disease with ≥ 1 site of measurable disease
• Biliary or gastric outlet obstruction allowed provided it is effectively drained by endoscopic, operative, or interventional means
• Pancreatic, biliary, or enteric fistulae allowed provided they are controlled with an appropriate drain

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

• At least 3 months

Hematopoietic

• WBC ≥ 2,500/mm^3
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL
• Hematocrit ≥ 27%

Hepatic

• Hepatitis B surface antigen negative
• Hepatitis C virus antibody negative OR
• Hepatitis C RNA negative by polymerase chain reaction

Renal

• Creatinine < 2.0 mg/dL

Immunologic

• HIV negative
• No history of or active autoimmune disease, including uveitis or autoimmune inflammatory eye disease
• No active uncontrolled infection

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, superficial bladder cancer, or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No underlying medical condition that would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• No prior anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 monoclonal antibody (MDX-010)

Chemotherapy

• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and recovered
• No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

• More than 4 weeks since prior corticosteroids
• No concurrent systemic or topical corticosteroids

Radiotherapy

• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and recovered

Surgery

• See Disease Characteristics

Other

• At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and recovered
• No concurrent immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporin or its analog)