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 619 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT06162377RecruitingPhase 4
Methylnaltrexone before surgery for mouth cancer
This trial tests if taking methylnaltrexone for two weeks before surgery can help people with mouth cancer. It is a small, early study to see how the drug affects the tumor and the body.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT06857279RecruitingPhase 2
Testing HLX43 for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests an investigational drug called HLX43 for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. It aims to see if the drug can shrink tumors or slow cancer growth.
Jinan, ShandongAges 18–75 - NCT07545967RecruitingPhase 1
Re-radiation and Chidamide for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer
This trial tests combining re-radiation (radiation therapy given a second time) with a drug called chidamide to treat head and neck cancer that has come back after previous radiation. The goal is to see if this combination can help patients whose cancer cannot be removed by surgery or who cannot have surgery.
Chengdu, SichuanAges 18–75 - NCT05286619RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab with chemotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer
This trial studies whether pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (platinum and gemcitabine) can control recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that can’t be cured with local treatments. It may help shrink tumors and slow disease growth in people who haven’t had cancer medicines for this stage before.
Kuala LumpurAges 18 years+ - NCT05913388RecruitingPhase 2
Testing a new drug plus pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone
This Phase 2 trial studies whether adding GB1211 to pembrolizumab works better than pembrolizumab with a placebo in people with metastatic melanoma or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer. It may help shrink tumors and improve outcomes, but it also carries risks from immune-based treatment.
Portland, OregonAges 18 years+ - NCT06601335RecruitingPhase 3
New immunotherapy combo for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new combination of two immunotherapy drugs (AK112 and AK117) versus the standard immunotherapy pembrolizumab for people with advanced head and neck cancer that hasn't been treated before.
Wuhan, HubeiAges 18–75 - NCT06699212RecruitingPhase 3
Light-activated therapy with immunotherapy for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new light-activated treatment (ASP-1929) combined with an immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab) as a first treatment for head and neck cancer that has come back in the same area but has not spread to other parts of the body. It aims to see if this combination works better than standard treatment alone.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07369882Recruiting
Less extensive surgery after immunotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial compares a less extensive surgery to the standard surgery for patients with advanced head and neck cancer who have responded well to initial chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The goal is to see if a smaller operation can be just as effective while causing fewer side effects.
Guangzhou, GuangdongAges 18–75 - NCT07408063RecruitingPhase 2
Study of new drug for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new drug (GSK5764227) for head and neck cancer that has spread or come back. It looks at your tumor's biomarkers to understand why some people respond to treatment. You may need to have had certain prior treatments depending on which group you join.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT07455032RecruitingPhase 1
Neoadjuvant therapy combo for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of two drugs (CADI-05 and pembrolizumab) before surgery for people with a certain type of head and neck cancer that hasn't spread. The goal is to see if this treatment can help shrink the tumor before it is removed.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT01365169Recruiting
How activity level and daily function relate to cancer survival
This study looks at how physical activity (movement during the day) and a clinician-rated “day-to-day function” score relate to overall survival in people with certain cancers. It may help doctors understand who benefits most from activity-focused care and better monitoring.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT06082180RecruitingPhase 3
Preventive neck lymph node removal in low-risk thyroid cancer
This trial is for people with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer. It compares two surgical approaches: one that removes just the thyroid gland, and another that also removes some lymph nodes in the center of the neck as a preventive measure. The goal is to see if removing these lymph nodes helps prevent the cancer from coming back.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–70 - NCT07517198RecruitingPhase 1
EXS74539 Study for Advanced Solid Tumors
This is an early-stage study testing a new cancer drug called EXS74539 to find the right dose and see how well it works in people with various advanced solid tumors. The drug may help patients whose cancers have stopped responding to standard treatments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06828588RecruitingEarly Phase 1
A new imaging test for people on HER2 cancer therapy
This study tests a new imaging drug called [68Ga]Ga-ABY-025 to see how well it shows HER2-positive tumors in people who are about to start or have just started HER2-targeted cancer therapy. It may help doctors see if the treatment is working.
Nashville, TennesseeAges 18 years+ - NCT06047379RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing NEO212 for brain tumors and metastases
This trial tests a new drug called NEO212 for people with certain brain tumors (like astrocytoma or glioblastoma) or cancer that has spread to the brain from other parts of the body. The goal is to see if it is safe and if it can help shrink or control the tumors.
Beverly Hills, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04470024RecruitingPhase 1
Testing a vaccine plus immunotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer
This early-phase (Phase 1b) study tests a vaccine designed to train the immune system to fight head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, plus standard immunotherapy. It may help some people by boosting the body’s anti-cancer immune response, but it mainly focuses on safety and finding the best approach.
Portland, OregonAges 18 years+ - NCT06905561Recruiting
Diclofenac cream to prevent skin irritation from radiation
This trial tests if a diclofenac cream can help prevent skin redness, peeling, or pain caused by radiation therapy. It is for people with certain head and neck cancers or breast cancer who are starting radiation treatment.
Haikou, HainanAges 18–75 - NCT06943820RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
AK129 combination therapy for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new combination of drugs (including AK129) for people with advanced solid tumors, specifically lung cancer, head and neck cancer, or colorectal cancer. It is for those who have already tried a platinum chemo and a PD-1/PD-L1 drug but their cancer got worse.
Shenyang, LiaoningAges 18–75 - NCT06998342RecruitingPhase 2
Mohs surgery plus short radiation for head and neck skin cancer
This trial studies a combination of Mohs surgery and a short course of radiation therapy for people with squamous cell skin cancer of the head and neck. The goal is to see if this approach is effective with fewer side effects.
Burlington, VermontAges 18 years+ - NCT06648096RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing afatinib for head and neck cancer in Fanconi anemia patients
This trial tests whether the targeted drug afatinib can shrink advanced head and neck cancers in people who also have Fanconi anemia. It is for patients whose tumors cannot be surgically removed and have not responded to or cannot have other standard treatments.
HanoverAges 18 years+ - NCT02139020Recruiting
Plasma sample collection for head and neck squamous cancer
This study collects blood plasma samples from people with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. Researchers want to better understand how treatments work, based on your prior cancer therapy, which may help future care.
Ottignies, Brabant WallonAges 18 years+ - NCT07589205RecruitingPhase 1
Testing IBI3028 for Advanced Solid Tumors
This early-stage trial tests a new drug called IBI3028 in people with advanced cancers that cannot be removed by surgery or have spread. The study aims to find the right dose and understand how the drug works in your body.
Tianjin, Tianjin MunicipalityAges 18 years+ - NCT07070518RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of GV20-0251 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new study drug, GV20-0251, for people with advanced solid tumors that no longer respond to standard therapies. It aims to see if the drug can shrink tumors or slow their growth.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 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.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18–74
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for head and neck cancer?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 619 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.