Clinical trials · Washington, D.C., DC
Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials in Washington, D.C.
We’re tracking 56 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site in or near Washington, D.C. — 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 Washington, D.C.
- 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 18–130 - 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 18–79 - 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 18–80 - NCT05977907RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy before surgery for head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests pembrolizumab and an investigational drug (IO102-103) given before surgery for certain non-bulky head and neck squamous cell cancers. The goal is to shrink the cancer and improve chances of cure by treating it before the operation.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 18 years+ - NCT05658731Recruiting
Radiation planning study to protect thinking in children
This study compares how radiation is planned to see whether it better protects thinking and memory in children and young adults. It may help future patients by learning which planning approach leads to better cognitive (thinking) outcomes.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 1–26 - 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 18 years+ - NCT03429036Recruiting
Collecting head and neck tissue samples for research
This study collects tissue and fluid samples from people with head and neck disorders to help researchers learn more about these conditions. By donating leftover samples from your regular medical care, you can help advance research without extra procedures.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 3–120 - 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.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 40–75 - NCT04915183RecruitingPhase 2
Atorvastatin to help prevent cisplatin-related hearing loss
This Phase 2 trial tests whether a cholesterol medicine called atorvastatin can protect hearing in people with head and neck cancer receiving cisplatin plus radiation. If it works, it may reduce the chance or severity of treatment-related hearing damage.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–100 - NCT06479811RecruitingPhase 1
Radioactive drug for advanced neuroendocrine and other cancers
This trial tests a new radioactive drug, [212Pb]VMT-Alpha-NET, that targets a protein on certain cancer cells. It is for people with specific types of advanced cancers that have gotten worse and are not responding to standard treatments.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–120 - NCT06161545RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy before surgery for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether giving a combination of immunotherapy drugs (pembrolizumab, N-803, and possibly PD-L1 t-haNK cells) before surgery can help treat head and neck cancer that has not been treated yet. It is for people whose cancer is p16-negative (a specific marker) and is at an intermediate or high risk of coming back.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–120 - 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.
Alexandria, VirginiaAges 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.
Fairfax, VirginiaAges 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.
Fairfax, VirginiaAges 18 years+
Hear when a new Head and Neck Cancer trial opens near Washington, D.C., DC
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Head and Neck Cancer trials in other cities
Where these studies are running near Washington, D.C.
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck cancer studies listed above.
- George Washington University Hospital · 6 studies
- Inova Schar Cancer Institute · 4 studies
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center · 4 studies
- Georgetown University Medical Center · 3 studies
- Johns Hopkins University · 3 studies
- NEXT Oncology · 3 studies
- Sibley Memorial Hospital · 3 studies
- University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center · 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.
Common questions
- Are there head and neck cancer clinical trials near Washington, D.C.?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 56 recruiting head and neck cancer studies with a site near Washington, D.C., 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 Washington, D.C.?
- 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 Washington, D.C. to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site near Washington, D.C., 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 Washington, D.C. regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.