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)