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
- 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+ - NCT04172753Recruiting
Online MRI-guided radiation therapy on a 1.5T machine
This trial checks whether it’s practical and safe to deliver radiation treatment using real-time MRI guidance, with the process supported online. It may help patients whose doctors recommend radiation by testing a modern way to plan and deliver treatment more precisely.
Tübingen, Baden-WurttembergAges 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - NCT04428515Recruiting
Photoacoustic scans for untreated head and neck cancer
This study tests a special imaging scan (photoacoustic imaging) to help doctors look at head and neck cancer before treatment. It’s for people who have not had first-line therapy yet and will be starting radiotherapy.
Toronto, OntarioAges Any age - 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+ - NCT04444869RecruitingPhase 2
Lower-dose radiation with chemotherapy for low-risk HPV throat cancer
This trial tests whether a less intense (lower-dose) radiation plan, combined with chemotherapy, can control HPV-positive oropharyngeal (throat) cancer with fewer side effects. It targets people considered “low-risk” based on tumor size and lymph node involvement.
Columbia, MissouriAges 18 years+ - NCT04478851Recruiting
Exercise program to help people live well with cancer
This study offers an exercise program meant to help people with cancer improve how they live day to day. It may fit you if you are getting treatment now, starting soon, or finished within the last 5 years and can safely do mild activity.
Calgary, AlbertaAges 18–100 - NCT04498767Recruiting
Radiation to treat a few metastatic spots in rare cancers
This trial studies whether stereotactic (high-precision) radiation given in a few sessions can control rare cancers that have spread to a small number of sites. It aims to help by treating all known spots while keeping side effects manageable.
AnderlechtAges 18 years+ - NCT04510129Recruiting
Cancer biospecimen collection study for immunotherapy patients
This study collects samples (like tissue biopsies and imaging information) from people with certain cancers who are starting anti–PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. It helps researchers gather material to study how these treatments work.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04511078RecruitingPhase 2
Panitumumab-IRDye800 during head and neck surgery
This Phase 2 study tests a targeted medicine (panitumumab-IRDye800) given around the time of surgery for head and neck squamous cell cancer. It aims to improve doctors’ ability to find and remove cancer tissue during planned surgery.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 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 - 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.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 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+ - 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.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT04611113Recruiting
Nutrition support to help tolerance of cancer chemoradiotherapy
This trial studies whether adding special nutrition support (“immunonutrition”) can help people with head-and-neck cancer tolerate treatment with chemoradiotherapy, and possibly improve comfort and treatment completion. You may be eligible if you are starting or will have curative or extra (adjuvant) chemoradiotherapy and can complete study measurements.
PaviaAges 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+ - NCT04673981Recruiting
Follow-up study for oral and throat cancer pain
This study looks at nerve-related symptoms and pain in the mouth and throat in people who have been treated for oral or oropharynx cancer. You may be able to take part if you’re within 1 to 5 years after treatment and can follow study steps.
Clermont-FerrandAges 18 years+ - NCT04729543RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
TCR cell therapy for melanoma and head and neck cancer
This early-phase study tests a lab-made T-cell treatment that targets a specific tumor marker (MC2) in melanoma and head and neck cancers. It aims to see if the treatment can safely shrink tumors and control cancer after standard options have run out.
RotterdamAges 18 years+ - NCT04805528Recruiting
Electrical stimulation to reduce dry mouth after head-neck radiation
This trial tests a non-invasive, acupuncture-like electrical stimulation treatment (ALTENS) to help reduce dry mouth after radiation for head and neck cancers. You may qualify if you have bothersome dry mouth and had significant head-neck radiation, with no signs of active cancer and if you can come for treatments over 12 weeks.
Rochester, New YorkAges 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
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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.