Clinical trials · Boston, MA
Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials in Boston
We’re tracking 52 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in or near Boston — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2, Phase 2/Phase 3 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies near Boston
- NCT06532279RecruitingPhase 2
Testing BMX-001 with chemoradiation for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding BMX-001 (a drug that may protect healthy tissues) to standard chemoradiation can reduce side effects and improve outcomes for people with head and neck cancer. It's a randomized study, so you would have a 50/50 chance of getting BMX-001 or a placebo.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06451497RecruitingPhase 1
Testing ZM008 alone and with toripalimab for advanced cancers
This trial tests a new drug called ZM008, which targets a protein on some cancer cells, first alone and then combined with another drug, toripalimab, for people with advanced solid tumors that have stopped responding to standard treatments.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06163534Recruiting
Biomarker profiling study for advanced head and neck cancer patients
This study collects blood and tumor tissue samples to analyze biological markers in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma before starting immunotherapy. The goal is to better understand how these markers relate to treatment response.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04333537RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Sentinel node biopsy versus standard neck surgery for early mouth cancer
This trial compares two ways of checking whether early oral cavity squamous cell cancer has spread to neck lymph nodes. It tests whether sentinel lymph node biopsy can find spread as well as standard neck dissection, while potentially reducing more extensive surgery for some people.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03526835RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of MCLA-158 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new experimental drug called MCLA-158 (petosemtamab) for people with advanced solid tumors, especially head and neck cancer or colorectal cancer, that have not responded to standard treatments. The study aims to see if this drug can shrink tumors or slow their growth.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04429542RecruitingPhase 1
Test of an EGFR-targeting drug for advanced solid cancers
This Phase 1 study tests the safety of BCA101 (an EGFR-targeting treatment) alone or combined with pembrolizumab. It may help people with certain EGFR-driven advanced cancers, depending on the tumor type, prior treatments, and required biopsy testing.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06047379RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing NEO212 for brain tumors and metastases
This trial tests a new drug called NEO212 for people with certain brain tumors (like astrocytoma or glioblastoma) or cancer that has spread to the brain from other parts of the body. The goal is to see if it is safe and if it can help shrink or control the tumors.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04389632RecruitingPhase 1
Sigvotatug vedotin for advanced solid tumors that spread
This early-stage study tests a drug called sigvotatug vedotin in people with advanced solid cancers that cannot be removed or have spread. It aims to see how well the treatment works and what side effects it causes.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06129864RecruitingPhase 3
Study of Volrustomig for advanced head and neck cancer after chemoradiation
This trial tests a new drug called volrustomig (MEDI5752) for people with advanced head and neck cancer that was not removed by surgery and has been treated with chemoradiation. The goal is to see if the drug can help prevent the cancer from coming back.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–130 - NCT07405645Recruiting
Focused Ultrasound for Cancer Pain in the Head or Neck
This trial tests a non-invasive focused ultrasound treatment aimed at a specific brain area to reduce severe cancer-related pain in the head, neck, or upper chest. It may help if your pain hasn't responded to standard medications.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–85 - NCT07465276RecruitingPhase 2
Two immunotherapies before surgery for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new combination of two immunotherapy drugs (ficerafusp alfa and pembrolizumab) given before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer that can be removed. The goal is to see if this approach can shrink the tumor and improve outcomes.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06150664RecruitingPhase 1
Study of CTX-8371 for advanced cancers no longer helped by standard therapy
This trial tests a new drug called CTX-8371 for people with advanced cancers (melanoma, head and neck, lung, triple-negative breast, or Hodgkin lymphoma) that have stopped responding to standard treatments, especially immunotherapy. It is a first-in-human study, meaning doctors are learning if the drug is safe and how well it works.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06940180RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery for sinus cancer
This trial tests a combination of an immunotherapy drug (toripalimab) plus chemotherapy before surgery for sinus cancer that has not spread. The goal is to see if this treatment shrinks the tumor so surgery can be more effective.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05136196RecruitingPhase 2
Cabozantinib plus nivolumab for advanced melanoma or head-neck cancer
This trial tests whether combining two immunotherapy medicines—cabozantinib and nivolumab—can shrink advanced melanoma or certain head-and-neck squamous cell cancers. It is mainly for people whose cancer has grown after prior PD-1 treatment.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05059444Recruiting
Blood test to catch cancer early after treatment
This study looks for signs of cancer left in the body after treatment using a simple blood test (called a liquid biopsy). It aims to see if the test can catch cancer that might come back earlier than regular scans.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT02734537RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation with or without cisplatin after head and neck surgery
This trial studies whether adding cisplatin (a chemotherapy medicine) to radiation therapy helps people with stage III–IVA squamous cell cancer of the head and neck after they’ve had surgery. It’s meant to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05176483RecruitingPhase 1
New drug combinations for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called zanzalintinib, which may slow or shrink various types of advanced cancer. It is given together with other cancer treatments, and the study is looking at many different cancers including kidney, prostate, bladder, lung, liver, and more.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03875716Recruiting
De-intensified radiation after surgery for HPV throat cancer
This trial studies a lower-intensity (less aggressive) course of radiation therapy after curative surgery for HPV-related tonsil or base-of-tongue cancer. The goal is to see if patients can still be treated successfully while reducing side effects from radiation.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05726370RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab plus chemo before surgery for recurrent head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests whether giving pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) plus chemotherapy before curative surgery can improve outcomes for people with resectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer. It also studies how these treatments affect the tumor and immune response using required tissue and blood samples.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05280314RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy before and after surgery for stage III melanoma or throat cancer
This trial tests two immunotherapy medicines given before surgery and again after surgery to help control the cancer and improve outcomes. It studies people with resectable (operable) stage III melanoma or certain stage III/IVA throat cancers.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06385080RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of amivantamab for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a drug called amivantamab, either alone or with other treatments, for people with head and neck cancer that has spread or come back. The goal is to see if the drug can help shrink tumors or control the cancer.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05349227Recruiting
After-cancer digital coaching and wearable tracking outcomes study
This study tests a digital health coaching program (using phone/tablet check-ins and wearable data) to understand health and quality-of-life outcomes after cancer treatment. It may help you learn healthy habits and track progress over time.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05334069Recruiting
Blood test study for early cancer detection in patients
This study collects blood from people with cancer and people without cancer (or with possible cancer) to test whether new blood tests can detect cancer earlier. Your blood samples help researchers evaluate how well these tests work.
Jamaica Plain, MassachusettsAges 40–75 - NCT06256588RecruitingPhase 3
Dostarlimab vs placebo after chemoradiation for head and neck cancer
This study tests whether the immunotherapy drug dostarlimab, given after standard chemoradiation, can keep advanced head and neck cancer from coming back. It is for people who have not had surgery and whose tumors are PD-L1 positive.
Worcester, MassachusettsAges 18 years+
Hear when a new Head and Neck Cancer trial opens near Boston, MA
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Head and Neck Cancer trials in other cities
Where these studies are running near Boston
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck cancer studies listed above.
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute · 12 studies
- Brigham and Women's Hospital · 5 studies
- Tufts Medical Center · 3 studies
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · 2 studies
- Boston Medical Center · 2 studies
- Massachusetts General Hospital · 2 studies
- Tufts Medical Center Cancer Center Stoneham · 2 studies
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center,East Campus Research Pharmacy
What taking part in a head and neck cancer study involves
A screening visit first
Before anything else, the study team checks whether you fit — usually a visit with some tests. You can stop at any point, and screening is typically free.
Care at a nearby site
Study visits happen at a clinic or hospital taking part. Many studies cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits, and some reimburse travel.
You stay in control
Taking part is voluntary and you can leave a study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular care.
The team decides eligibility
Our fit check is a helpful first read, not a decision. The study team makes the final call after reviewing your health history.
Looking wider? See all recruiting head and neck cancer studies in Massachusetts.
Common questions
- Are there head and neck cancer clinical trials near Boston?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 52 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site near Boston, each rewritten in plain language so you can see what it's testing and who it's for.
- How do I find out if I qualify for a head and neck cancer study near Boston?
- Each study lists its eligibility rules — age, diagnosis, prior treatments. On every trial page we explain these in plain language and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Do I have to live in Boston to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site near Boston, but eligibility is about your health, not your address — some people travel to take part, and a few studies reimburse travel. The study team can tell you what's required.
- Does it cost anything to join a head and neck cancer trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what's covered before you decide.
Not the right time?
New head and neck cancer studies open near Boston regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.