• Local and sustained cytokine combinations in evaluating antitumor response in human peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Vaccine potential in provoking or enhancing long-term systemic immunity against head and neck cancer [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Response rate [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine whether local sustained delivery of cytokines (interleukin-2, interleukin-12, or sargramostim [GM-CSF]) in biodegradable microspheres augments antitumor response in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) obtained from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, as evaluated in a human/SCID chimeric mouse model.
• Assess the potential of cytokine-loaded microspheres combined with dendritic cells (pulsed with tumor peptide) obtained from these patients to enhance long-term immunity against the tumor, as evaluated in a human/SCID chimeric mouse model.
• Evaluate the antitumor effect of the more effective approach (objective I or II) against established tumors in the mouse model.

OUTLINE: Biopsies of tumor are obtained during surgical resection. Patients undergo phlebotomy or leukapheresis to obtain peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). PBLs, tumor tissue, and cytokine-loaded microspheres are coengrafted into SCID mice. Tumor growth and immune response are determined.

Dendritic cells are obtained from PBLs, expanded in culture, and pulsed with either autologous tumor cell lysates or peptide eluted from the tumor cells. The dendritic cells are coengrafted with tumor cells, PBLs, and cytokine-loaded microspheres into SCID mice. The mice are then challenged with autologous tumor cells, and antitumor response is determined.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 50 patients will be accrued for this study.