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

You may be eligible if

• 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)