Clinical trials · Pennsylvania
Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials in Pennsylvania
We’re tracking 54 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in Pennsylvania — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in Pennsylvania
- 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.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07227792Recruiting
Tongue-out radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
This trial tests if sticking your tongue out during radiation therapy can reduce side effects. It is for people with certain types of head and neck cancer who are getting radiation to the main tumor.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07156227RecruitingPhase 1
Testing camonsertib with radiation for returning head and neck cancer
This study tests whether adding the drug camonsertib to radiation therapy can help people whose head and neck cancer has come back in a spot that was already treated with radiation. Camonsertib is an experimental drug that may help radiation work better.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 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).
Allentown, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
York, PennsylvaniaAges 18–80 - NCT04075305Recruiting
Study measuring radiation treatment outcomes with an MR-Linac
This study follows what happens when radiation treatment is guided using an MR-Linac (a special machine that combines MRI imaging with radiation). It may help improve how radiation therapy is planned and assessed, especially for people who can safely have MRI scans.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 12 years+ - NCT05031910Recruiting
Virtual 3D guidance for head and neck cancer surgery
This study tests whether a virtual reality (3D computer) model of surgery can help surgeons improve how head and neck cancer operations are planned and done. You may benefit from more personalized surgical planning, if you’re eligible for standard surgery.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05406167Recruiting
Tracking quality of life during radiotherapy with a new system
This study collects information about how you feel and how treatment is delivered while you receive radiotherapy using the RefleXion Medical radiotherapy system. It may help doctors improve care and better understand what affects quality of life during treatment.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges Any age - NCT05442957Recruiting
BRIGHT program after head and neck cancer treatment
This trial tests a “renewed image” program (BRIGHT) compared with another option (AC) after you’ve finished treatment for certain head and neck cancers. It may help you with emotional well-being and adjustment after cancer.
Hershey, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06030011Recruiting
Using a digital tool for head and neck cancer patients
This trial uses a digital assessment tool to track symptoms and side effects in patients with head and neck cancer who are getting radiation therapy (with or without chemotherapy). The goal is to see if it helps improve care in both rural and urban areas.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06525220RecruitingPhase 3
New drug combo vs. standard for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new combination of two immunotherapy drugs (petosemtamab plus pembrolizumab) compared to pembrolizumab alone for people with head and neck cancer that has spread or come back and cannot be cured locally. It may be an option if your cancer has a certain protein (PD-L1) and you haven't had prior cancer treatment for this stage.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Chambersburg, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06710756RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Lead-212 therapy for solid tumors
This trial tests a new radioactive drug, Lead-212 PSV359, for people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. The drug is designed to find and attack cancer cells.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18–90 - 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06837480Recruiting
Light therapy for long-term swelling after head and neck cancer
This study tests a light-based treatment called photobiomodulation (PBMT) to help reduce chronic swelling after head and neck cancer therapy. It is for people whose swelling hasn’t improved with standard treatment.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06992427RecruitingPhase 3
Gabapentin to prevent opioid use for mouth pain during cancer treatment
This trial tests if taking gabapentin during chemoradiation for head and neck cancer can reduce the need for strong painkillers like opioids. It may help manage mouth pain caused by treatment.
Dickson City, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07030257RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of CP-383 for advanced solid tumors
This study tests a new drug called CP-383 for people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to other treatments. The goal is to see if it can shrink tumors or slow cancer growth, especially for certain cancers with genetic changes.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+
Head and Neck Cancer trials by city in Pennsylvania
Where these studies are running in Pennsylvania
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck cancer studies listed above.
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center · 8 studies
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital · 4 studies
- University of Pennsylvania · 4 studies
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center · 4 studies
- Fox Chase Cancer Center · 3 studies
- Jefferson Torresdale Hospital · 3 studies
- UPMC Hamot · 3 studies
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center - Pinnacle at Community Osteopathic Campus · 3 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 Pennsylvania?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 54 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania?
- 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 Pennsylvania to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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.