Clinical trials · Raleigh–Durham, NC
Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials in Raleigh–Durham
We’re tracking 27 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in or near Raleigh–Durham — 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 Raleigh–Durham
- 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.
Cary, North CarolinaAges 40–75 - NCT06778863RecruitingPhase 1
A study of CLSP-1025 for adults with certain solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called CLSP-1025 for people with advanced solid tumors that have a specific change in the p53 gene (R175H). The drug targets this change to help fight the cancer.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05793151Recruiting
Guided care to start cancer treatment on time after surgery
This trial tests a navigation program (help from a care coordinator) versus usual care to help people start the recommended “next-step” treatments (like radiation, sometimes with chemo) on time after surgery. It’s for certain stages of squamous cell cancer in the head and neck area where late treatment could matter.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT07124000Recruiting
T-DXd for advanced HER2-positive solid tumors
This trial is for people with advanced HER2-positive solid tumors (cancers that cannot be removed by surgery or have spread). It tests the drug T-DXd (also called Enhertu) when your doctor has already decided it's the right treatment for you and you have no other good options.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18–130 - NCT06788990RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Study of ficerafusp alfa with pembrolizumab for advanced head and neck cancer
This study tests a new drug called ficerafusp alfa (BCA101) combined with the immunotherapy pembrolizumab for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has not been treated before. The goal is to see if adding ficerafusp alfa helps shrink tumors better than pembrolizumab alone.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04389281RecruitingPhase 1
X-ray light-activated therapy for hard-to-treat skin tumors
This early-phase study tests an X-ray–activated medicine that is delivered directly into selected tumors to help control cancer that has not responded to standard treatments. If the injected area can be treated safely, it may shrink or slow the tumor and improve local control.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06084481RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a new drug for advanced solid tumors
This study tests a new intravenous drug called ABBV-400 in people with certain advanced solid tumors that have not responded to other treatments. The goal is to see if it can slow or stop tumor growth and to check for side effects.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05005403RecruitingPhase 1
Testing azirkitug for lung, head/neck, and other solid cancers
This Phase 1 study tests how a new medicine (azirkitug) behaves in the body and how safe it is, given by IV infusion alone or with other cancer drugs. It may help people with several advanced solid tumor cancers, especially after standard treatments have stopped working.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 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.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05076760RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a cancer-killing virus with standard treatments
This Phase 1 trial tests MEM-288, an oncolytic (cancer-killing) virus, either alone or combined with standard cancer medicines, in people with advanced solid tumors. It’s designed to see how the treatment works and how safe it is in different cancer types and after specific prior therapies.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04585750RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Studying a new drug for cancers with a specific TP53 change
This trial tests a new drug (rezatapopt) for people with advanced cancers that have a specific change in the TP53 gene, called Y220C. The drug is designed to target this change and may slow or stop cancer growth. Some participants may also receive an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab (Keytruda).
Durham, North CarolinaAges 12 years+ - NCT04564989Recruiting
Biomarker study for HPV-related throat cancer outcomes
This observational study checks how well a blood test for HPV DNA (and other tumor genetic markers) predicts outcomes in certain throat cancers. It may help doctors better track the disease and plan treatment, because the trial validates these lab signals against real-world results.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04671667RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab vs chemo-radiation after surgery for recurrent head/neck cancer
This trial tests whether pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) works better than the usual chemo plus radiation after surgery for cancer that has come back in the head and neck area. It may help reduce cancer returning or spreading by using your immune system, but eligibility depends on how the cancer came back and your prior treatments.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18–79 - 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.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05107674RecruitingPhase 1
Early drug study for advanced cancers that have limited options
This Phase 1 study tests NX-1607 in adults with advanced cancers that are hard to treat with standard care. It focuses on safety and early signs of how well the drug may work in specific cancer types.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 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.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06096038RecruitingPhase 1
CAR-T cell therapy for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new treatment using your own immune cells (CAR-T cells) to target a protein called CSPG4 found on head and neck cancer cells. It is for people whose cancer has come back or not responded to other treatments.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06589804RecruitingPhase 3
Testing cetuximab plus pembrolizumab for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding cetuximab to the standard drug pembrolizumab works better for head and neck cancer that has spread or come back after treatment. It is for people whose cancer did not respond to platinum chemotherapy and whose tumors have a certain immune marker (PD-L1).
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT07278557RecruitingPhase 2
MRI-guided radiation to reduce dry mouth from head and neck cancer treatment
This trial tests if using an MRI to map saliva glands before radiation can help spare them, reducing dry mouth. It is for people with oropharynx cancer who will receive radiation with or without chemotherapy.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT07219212RecruitingPhase 1
New drug with chemo and radiation for advanced head and neck cancer
This study tests if adding an investigational drug called JNJ-90301900 to standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy works better for people with certain advanced head and neck cancers (like mouth, throat, and voice box) that have not spread to other parts of the body.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18–74 - NCT07195734RecruitingPhase 2
Adding chemo or immunotherapy before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether giving chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before surgery can improve outcomes for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has come back or not gone away after prior treatment.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 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.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04099290Recruiting
Blood DNA test in newly diagnosed head and neck cancer
This study looks at “circulating tumor DNA” (tumor DNA found in blood) in people with newly diagnosed, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer. Researchers want to see how the blood DNA levels relate to the cancer and how it may guide treatment after surgery.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+
Hear when a new Head and Neck Cancer trial opens near Raleigh–Durham, NC
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Head and Neck Cancer trials in other cities
Where these studies are running near Raleigh–Durham
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck cancer studies listed above.
- Duke University Medical Center · 6 studies
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center · 4 studies
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · 4 studies
- Duke Cancer Institute
- Duke Cancer Institute /ID# 276267
- Durham VA Medical Center
- Exelixis Clinical Site #12
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
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 North Carolina.
Common questions
- Are there head and neck cancer clinical trials near Raleigh–Durham?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 27 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site near Raleigh–Durham, 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 Raleigh–Durham?
- 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 Raleigh–Durham to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site near Raleigh–Durham, 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 Raleigh–Durham regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.