Clinical trials · Massachusetts
Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials in Massachusetts
We’re tracking 49 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in Massachusetts — 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 Massachusetts
- 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+ - 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+ - NCT05877599RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a new treatment for advanced cancers with a specific gene change
This trial tests a new type of therapy (NT-175) for people with certain advanced cancers that have a specific genetic change. It might help if your tumor has the TP53 R175H mutation and you have the HLA-A*02:01 immune marker.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT07227168RecruitingPhase 1
Study of STRO-004 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called STRO-004 for people with advanced solid tumors (cancers that have spread or come back). It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective for those who have already tried other treatments.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT07675967Recruiting
Blood Cell Changes During Cancer Treatment
This study is for people with solid tumors who are about to start chemotherapy or radiation. It looks at how these treatments affect blood cells and may help doctors understand changes in blood health over time.
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+ - 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+ - 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+ - NCT07109726RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing TER-2013 for advanced tumors with AKT/PI3K/PTEN changes
This trial tests a new drug called TER-2013, alone or combined with another drug (fulvestrant), for people with advanced solid tumors that have specific genetic changes in the AKT/PI3K/PTEN pathway. It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective.
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+ - 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–79 - 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+ - NCT06744296Recruiting
ctDNA surveillance for HPV-negative head and neck cancer
This trial uses a blood test to look for tiny bits of tumor DNA after treatment for head and neck cancer. It aims to see if this test can detect any remaining cancer cells early, so you and your doctor can make informed decisions.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - 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+ - 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–74 - NCT06496178RecruitingPhase 3
Petosemtamab for advanced head and neck cancer after prior treatment
This trial tests a new drug called petosemtamab for people with head and neck cancer that has gotten worse after immunotherapy and platinum chemotherapy. The goal is to see if it works better than the standard single-drug options available.
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 - NCT05669430RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing an anti-cancer drug alone and with pembrolizumab
This early-phase study tests GV20-0251 (an anti-cancer treatment) by itself and combined with pembrolizumab, to see how well it works and how safe it is. It is for adults with advanced solid tumors that have grown despite standard treatments, or where standard treatments aren’t an option.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04787042RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Safety and early benefits of ST-067 for advanced solid tumors
This early-stage trial tests ST-067 to see if it is safe and whether it may shrink advanced cancers. It also looks at how the drug moves through the body and affects the immune system.
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+ - NCT05059444Recruiting
Blood test study to watch for cancer coming back
This study looks at whether blood tests can detect signs that cancer may return after curative-intent treatment. You would have blood drawn around your usual follow-up visits for up to 5 years, and your de-identified health data would be shared with study investigators.
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 - 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+
Head and Neck Cancer trials by city in Massachusetts
Where these studies are running in Massachusetts
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck cancer studies listed above.
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute · 9 studies
- Massachusetts General Hospital · 5 studies
- Brigham and Women's Hospital · 3 studies
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · 2 studies
- Research Site · 2 studies
- Tufts Medical Center · 2 studies
- Boston Medical Center
- GSK Investigational Site
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 Massachusetts?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 49 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts?
- 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 Massachusetts to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts 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.