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Atezolizumab with or without Tocilizumab, Tiragolumab, or Other Immune Modulating-Agents in Treating Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer

Trial Status: active

This phase II trial studies how well atezolizumab works in treating patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer, and if adding atezolizumab to the standard-of-care treatment (surgical resection followed by radiation or chemoradiation) decreases the occurrence of cancer relapse. Atezolizumab is an antibody (a protein used by the body's immune system to identify and neutralize foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, and tumor cells) that affects the immune system by blocking the PD-L1 pathway. The PD L1 pathway is involved in decreasing the body’s natural immune response to fight cancer. By blocking the PD-L1 pathway, atezolizumab may help your immune system stop or reverse the growth of tumors. Tocilizumab is an antibody (a protein similar to those produced by the body's immune system) that binds to a protein called IL-6R. High levels of IL-6 may promote tumor growth. Blocking IL-6R with tocilizumab may reset the immune system to recognize the tumor and help shrink it. The body’s immune system has a certain natural ability to withstand tumor growth. Tumors partially resist the immune system and atezolizumab may help your immune system to withstand the growth of tumors. Tiragolumab is an antibody, a type of protein used by your body's immune system to identify and attack foreign objects, such as bacteria, viruses, and tumor cells. The body’s immune system has the ability to recognize and fight harmful infections and cancer. Tumors can partially decrease the immune system from functioning properly using a pathway known as TIGIT. Tiragolumab, which is manufactured in a laboratory, acts by blocking the TIGIT protein which may help boost the immune system and stop or reverse the growth of tumors. Giving atezolizumab in combination with tocilizumab or tiragolumab may have additional immune effects against tumors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of atezolizumab or atezolizumab in combination with tocilizumab or tiragolumab on infiltration of the tumor by T-cells (a type of white blood cell).