Study to Evaluate Immunological Response to PD-1 Inhibition in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN)

This is a single-center cross-sectional imaging and correlative biomarker study in patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN). Cohort 1 will be patients with unresectable or metastatic SCCHN cancer receiving standard of care (SOC) anti-PD-1 treatment and cohort 2 will be neoadjuvant study participants who will receive one dose of anti-PD-1 treatment prior to tumor resection or radiation. Blood sampling and tissue biopsies will be collected from both cohorts and both cohorts will undergo two whole body PET(Positron Emission Tomography)/CT(Computed Tomography) imaging with [18F]F-AraG. First scan prior to initiating anti-PD-1 treatment and second scan 6-12 weeks post initiation of anti-PD-1 treatment in Cohort1 and within 2-3 weeks of administration of one dose of anti-PD-1 in Cohort 2.

This study will help us assess if [18F]F-AraG can be used for noninvasive imaging and assessment of T cell activation and expansion in the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, we will be assessing if there is a correlation between an increase in the imaging signal and an increase in T cell activation (measured directly from the T cells obtained from biopsy specimens).

Patients and care providers will not be blinded to any part of this study. Patients will be evaluated one day and one week via telephone visit after each radiopharmaceutical injection for safety follow-up. All adverse events will be recorded. Due to the noninvasive and non-therapeutic nature of the study, potential risks of the study are anticipated to be low.

Inclusion criteria

• Unresectable or metastatic SCCHN.
• Localized SCCHN.
• >18 years old.
• Willing and able to sign consent form.
• Have standard of care biopsy or resection planned or tumors amenable to serial biopsies.
• For patients with reproductive potential must undergo counseling to understand unknown risks to resultant progeny.

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of immunodeficiency or active autoimmune condition.
• Active tuberculosis
• Prior exposure to PD-1 or PD-LI treatment
• Prior systemic chemotherapy within 2 weeks of planed anti-PD1 treatment.
• Received a live vaccine within 30 days of planned PD-1 start date.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding.