Clinical trials
Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials
Below are recruiting head and neck cancer clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 618 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05076760RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a cancer-killing virus with standard treatments
This Phase 1 trial tests MEM-288, an oncolytic (cancer-killing) virus, either alone or combined with standard cancer medicines, in people with advanced solid tumors. It’s designed to see how the treatment works and how safe it is in different cancer types and after specific prior therapies.
Tampa, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT05106608Recruiting
Mobile plus light therapy for dry mouth after head and neck cancer
This study tests whether “photobiomodulation” light therapy, guided by a phone app, can improve chronic dry mouth (xerostomia) in people who finished radiation for head and neck cancer. It may help reduce bothersome mouth dryness and support better day-to-day comfort after treatment.
GranadaAges 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+ - NCT05047094Recruiting
DaRT radiation plus pembrolizumab for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether a targeted internal radiation treatment (DaRT) combined with pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) can shrink recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer that cannot be fully removed with surgery. It may help by making cancer more visible to the immune system while delivering localized radiation to a tumor area.
JerusalemAges 18 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+ - NCT04528420Recruiting
Early treatment plan for head and neck skin cancer
This study tests an optimized plan for treating squamous cell cancer in the head and neck area using curative treatment that includes chemotherapy with cisplatin plus radiation after surgery. It may help doctors improve early management and outcomes for people eligible for this standard approach.
AmiensAges 18–75 - NCT04999761RecruitingPhase 1
Study testing new drug combinations for advanced cancers
This study tests new drug combinations for people with various advanced cancers that have progressed after standard treatment, or in some cases, as a first treatment. It aims to see if these combinations are safe and effective. The study is divided into groups based on cancer type and treatment history, so not everyone will qualify for every group.
AichiAges 18 years+ - NCT04930432RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
MCLA-129 for advanced EGFR- and MET-positive lung and other cancers
This early-phase trial tests MCLA-129, an antibody that targets EGFR and MET, in people with advanced cancers that have specific lab “biomarker” results. It’s for patients whose cancer has grown after standard treatments or can’t take standard treatment, with the goal of shrinking tumors and improving symptoms.
BaodingAges 18 years+ - 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.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAges 18–100 - NCT04916990Recruiting
Care program for rural adults with several lung and head cancers
This study looks at how to improve care for adults with certain cancers who live in rural areas and may face access problems. It mainly focuses on people receiving cancer treatment at specific Colorado-area hospitals, and who are uninsured or underinsured.
Aurora, ColoradoAges 18–99 - NCT04754321RecruitingPhase 1
Test immunotherapy with salvage surgery and IORT for head and neck cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests a new plan that combines immunotherapy with surgery, plus a targeted radiation treatment called IORT. It is for people whose head and neck squamous cell cancer has come back or never fully went away and can be operated on. The goal is to shrink or control the cancer and see how safe the approach is.
Columbus, OhioAges 18 years+ - NCT04722523RecruitingPhase 1
Cemiplimab plus chemo and other immune treatment for head and neck cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests how well cemiplimab (an immune treatment) can work when combined with chemotherapy and an additional immunotherapy for certain head and neck cancers. It may help shrink the cancer and improve outcomes, while also checking safety and dosing.
Basking Ridge, New JerseyAges 18 years+ - NCT04747054RecruitingPhase 3
Radiation plus pembrolizumab for newly diagnosed metastatic head and neck cancer
This trial studies whether adding pembrolizumab (an immune system medicine) to radiation can improve outcomes in people newly diagnosed with metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer. It may help the immune system better recognize and fight the cancer alongside radiation.
AvignonAges 18 years+ - NCT04612075Recruiting
PET-MR scan study for head and neck squamous cancer
This study uses a combined PET/MR scan to better look at head and neck squamous cell cancer before or during treatment. It may help doctors see where the cancer is and how far it has spread, to support planning for curative radiation treatment.
TromsøAges 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+ - NCT04545957Recruiting
Radiation planning study using MRI for adults with cancer
This trial tests a “master protocol” approach to use MRI (a detailed body scan) to help plan radiation treatment for people with cancer. It may help doctors customize radiation more accurately, depending on your specific cancer type.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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+ - NCT04354064Recruiting
Blood DNA test to see early treatment response in solid tumors
This study looks at circulating tumor DNA, which is tiny bits of DNA found in blood, to help assess how solid tumors are responding early. It uses blood samples from healthy adults who are willing to donate.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18 years+ - NCT04261192Recruiting
Grow lab models of head and neck cancer to test treatments
This study collects tissue from people with newly diagnosed head and neck squamous cell cancer and grows “mini tumor models” in the lab. The goal is to see how these models respond to new therapies, which may help guide more effective treatment choices in the future.
CaenAges 18 years+ - NCT04273061RecruitingPhase 2
Atezolizumab for tumors that look sensitive on DNA/RNA testing
This Phase 2 study tests atezolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, in people with advanced, incurable solid tumors whose tumor DNA/RNA suggests they may respond. The goal is to see if the treatment works better for patients selected by these lab results.
Vancouver, British ColumbiaAges 18 years+ - NCT04375384RecruitingPhase 2
Cetuximab after immunotherapy for head and neck cancer
This trial studies whether giving cetuximab after prior immunotherapy can help people with head and neck squamous cell cancer shrink tumors or slow their growth. You may be eligible if you’ve already had a PD-1–based immunotherapy treatment, and you meet health and safety requirements.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04178174RecruitingPhase 3
Boost radiation for HPV throat cancer with shorter treatment
This trial studies whether adding a precise “extra boost” to radiation can work as well as (or better than) standard radiation for HPV-related oropharynx cancer, while keeping the overall treatment shorter. It may help improve tumor control while aiming for manageable side effects.
London, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT04185974Recruiting
Carbon ion re-irradiation for returning head and neck cancer
This trial tests a type of radiation called carbon-ion re-irradiation for people whose head and neck cancer has come back or grown again after earlier radiation. It may help control the cancer after certain surgeries, but it also requires specific safety conditions about timing, prior treatment areas, and overall health.
HeidelbergAges 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+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for head and neck cancer?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 618 recruiting head and neck cancer studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a head and neck cancer trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a head and neck cancer trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
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.