Clinical trials · California
Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 91 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in California — 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 in California
- NCT06172478RecruitingPhase 2
HER3-DXd for advanced solid tumors after prior treatment
This trial tests a new targeted drug called HER3-DXd for people with several types of advanced solid tumors that have stopped responding to standard treatments. The drug is an antibody-drug conjugate, designed to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells that have a protein called HER3 on their surface.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07225855Recruiting
Support for older adults with head and neck cancer and their caregivers
This trial tests whether a special geriatric assessment (a check-up for older adults) and extra support can help people aged 60+ with head and neck cancer feel better during chemotherapy and radiation. It also looks at how this helps their family or friend caregivers.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06980038RecruitingPhase 2
Testing two immunotherapy drugs before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding a second immunotherapy drug (CDX-1140) to the standard immunotherapy cemiplimab before surgery is better than cemiplimab alone for people with stage III-IV head and neck cancer that can be removed with surgery.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 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.
Beverly Hills, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07062354Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Study of amivantamab plus chemo for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new drug (amivantamab) combined with two chemotherapy drugs (carboplatin and paclitaxel) for people with head and neck cancer that has spread or come back after treatment and cannot be removed by surgery. This study aims to see if this combination can help shrink tumors.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06572423Recruiting
Personalized focused radiation for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a personalized, very precise radiation treatment (called PULS-Pal) for head and neck cancer that cannot be cured with standard therapies. It aims to shrink tumors and help with symptoms while limiting side effects.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06985784Recruiting
Virtual reality for head and neck cancer patients and caregivers
This study tests whether using virtual reality can help reduce depression, anxiety, and pain in people with head and neck cancer and their caregivers. You and your caregiver may be able to use VR headsets together as part of your treatment.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06465069RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a new drug for advanced bladder and other solid tumors
This study tests a new drug (LY4052031) for people with several types of advanced solid tumors, especially bladder cancer. It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective when given alone or after other treatments have stopped working.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 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).
Marysville, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07276399RecruitingPhase 3
Study of amivantamab plus standard care for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding the drug amivantamab to usual treatments helps people with advanced head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. It compares the combination to standard care alone.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 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.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04198766RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
New OX40 immunotherapy for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new immunotherapy drug (INBRX-106) alone or with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for adults with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. The goal is to see if the drug can help the immune system fight cancer.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07090499RecruitingPhase 1
Study of PF-08046876 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new medicine, PF-08046876, for people with advanced cancers of the bladder, lung, head and neck, esophagus, or pancreas. It aims to see if the drug is safe and works against these cancers.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 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.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–130 - NCT03556228RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Tested medicine for tumors with TrkA changes, alone or with pembrolizumab
This early-phase study tests VMD-928, a targeted cancer medicine, for cancers that have TrkA-related tumor changes. It may be given by itself or with pembrolizumab to see if it can shrink tumors when standard treatments have not worked.
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT06580002RecruitingPhase 2
Can Riluzole Help with Chemo Brain? A Pilot Study
This study tests if a medicine called riluzole (currently used for ALS) can help with 'chemo brain' – memory and thinking problems after cancer treatment. It is for people who feel their mental sharpness has declined after breast cancer therapy, certain chemotherapies, or brain radiation.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 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.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04510129Recruiting
Cancer biospecimen collection study for immunotherapy patients
This study collects samples (like tissue biopsies and imaging information) from people with certain cancers who are starting anti–PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. It helps researchers gather material to study how these treatments work.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04534205RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Testing BNT113 plus pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone
This trial studies whether adding BNT113 to pembrolizumab works better and is safe for people with HPV16-positive head and neck cancer that can’t be cured with local treatments. It also compares outcomes to pembrolizumab alone, specifically for tumors that show PD-L1 in testing.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04585750RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study drug for TP53 Y220C-mutated advanced cancers
This early-phase study tests PC14586 (rezatapopt) in people with advanced or metastatic solid cancers that carry a specific TP53 mutation called Y220C. It mainly looks at safety and how well the treatment may work, sometimes combined with pembrolizumab.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT04969315RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Drug TT-10 and TT-4 for advanced solid tumors
This early-phase trial tests two investigational drugs—TT-10 and TT-4—alone and together in people with advanced solid cancers. The study is designed to find safe doses and see if the treatment can shrink tumors or slow cancer growth.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 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.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 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.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05366881Recruiting
Blood test study to spot early cancer signal and cancer leftovers
This observational study checks whether a blood test (a “cfDNA” test) can detect early signs of cancer or small amounts of cancer left after treatment. It may help doctors use a simple blood sample to improve cancer detection and follow-up.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 40 years+
Head and Neck Cancer trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck cancer studies listed above.
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center · 9 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 5 studies
- University of California, Irvine Medical Center / UC Irvine Health · 4 studies
- USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 4 studies
- California Research Institute · 2 studies
- City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center · 2 studies
- Los Angeles General Medical Center · 2 studies
- Providence Medical Foundation · 2 studies
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.
Head and Neck Cancer trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there head and neck cancer clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 91 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in California, 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 in California?
- 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 California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, 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 in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.