Squamous Cell Head and Neck Carcinoma

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the safety and tolerability of a virus replicon particle (VRP) encapsulated saRNA encoding IL-12 when injected into in head and neck cancer patients. The main questions being addressed are: The safety and tolerability of intratumoral (IT) injections of VRP-encapsulated saRNA encoding IL-12 (VLPONC-01) The tumor response to IT injections of VLPONC-01 The tumor response due to the combination of IT injections of VLPONC-01 and system IV administration of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) treatment Researchers will compare neoadjuvant pembrolizumab alone to the combination therapy to see if the combination enhances tumor responses.