Clinical trials · California
Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 90 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in California — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT06606028Recruiting
Blood test for leftover cancer DNA after head and neck cancer treatment
This study uses a simple blood test to look for leftover cancer DNA after treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to see if the test can find very small amounts of cancer early, which might help doctors make better decisions about follow-up care.
San Francisco, 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - NCT06545331RecruitingPhase 1
A study of XB010 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests an investigational drug called XB010 for people with solid tumors that have spread or cannot be removed by surgery. It aims to see if XB010 is safe and effective for several cancer types, including lung, breast, head and neck, and esophageal cancers.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 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.
Encinitas, 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.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06444815RecruitingPhase 1
Study of VET3-TGI for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests an experimental treatment called VET3-TGI, which is injected directly into tumors. It is for people with advanced solid tumors who have already tried other treatments and are looking for new options.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 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.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06211335RecruitingPhase 1
Losartan, pembrolizumab and radiation for advanced head & neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of three treatments—a blood pressure drug (losartan), an immunotherapy (pembrolizumab), and targeted radiation—for people with head and neck cancer that has come back, spread to a few spots, or is not responding to other treatments. The goal is to see if this mix can shrink tumors and help patients who have few options left.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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+ - NCT06103669Recruiting
Local treatment for limited cancer spread
This trial tests whether using local treatments (like targeted radiation or ablation) on a few new spots of cancer can help people whose cancer is otherwise stable on their current treatment. It enrolls people with various solid tumors, such as breast, gynecologic, head & neck, sarcoma, or other types.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06064877RecruitingPhase 3
Study of ficlatuzumab plus cetuximab for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of two drugs, ficlatuzumab and cetuximab, for people with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer that is HPV-negative and has not responded to prior immunotherapy and chemotherapy. It aims to see if this combination can help shrink tumors or slow the disease.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05983432RecruitingPhase 1
Study of BL-B01D1 for advanced lung and other solid tumors
This trial tests an experimental drug called BL-B01D1 for people with several types of advanced solid tumors, especially non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. It's designed for those whose cancer has continued to grow after standard treatments.
Beverly Hills, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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 - 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+ - NCT00230308Recruiting
Study of new genes in head and neck cancer surgery tissue
This study looks at tissue from people having surgery for head and neck cancer at Stanford University. Researchers want to identify new proteins and genes that may help explain the cancer and guide future treatments.
Stanford, 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+ - 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+ - 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).
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 12 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+ - 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.
Murrieta, 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.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT00568490Recruiting
Finding blood markers that show low oxygen in tumors
This study looks for substances in blood that may reflect how “low-oxygen” a tumor is. If you have head and neck cancer or non-small cell lung cancer, it may help researchers understand tumor oxygen levels and improve future care.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 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.
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 5 studies
- City of Hope · 4 studies
- Los Angeles General Medical Center · 2 studies
- Stanford University School of Medicine · 2 studies
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center · 2 studies
- UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center · 2 studies
- University of California, Davis · 2 studies
- University of California, Irvine · 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 90 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.