Clinical trials · California
Head and Neck Carcinoma clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 79 recruiting head and neck carcinoma studies with a site in California — 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 in California
- NCT07441681RecruitingPhase 3
Comparing radiation plus targeted therapy vs standard chemo for head and neck cancer
This trial compares two treatments for advanced head and neck cancer in patients who cannot take the drug cisplatin. One group gets radiation plus a targeted drug called cetuximab, the other gets radiation plus standard chemotherapy. The goal is to see which approach works better and is safer for people who are not candidates for cisplatin.
Beverly Hills, CaliforniaAges 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.
Beverly Hills, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07062354Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Study of amivantamab plus chemo for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new drug (amivantamab) combined with two chemotherapy drugs (carboplatin and paclitaxel) for people with head and neck cancer that has spread or come back after treatment and cannot be removed by surgery. This study aims to see if this combination can help shrink tumors.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06769698RecruitingPhase 2
Testing fianlimab with cemiplimab for head and neck cancer
This study compares a new combination of two drugs (fianlimab and cemiplimab) against cemiplimab alone for people with head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. It aims to see if the combination works better.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06420219Recruiting
New head and neck cancer study for untreated patients
This study is looking at newly diagnosed head and neck cancer before any treatment begins. It will analyze your cancer's genes and other markers to understand how it develops and grows, which may help improve future care.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06572423Recruiting
Personalized focused radiation for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a personalized, very precise radiation treatment (called PULS-Pal) for head and neck cancer that cannot be cured with standard therapies. It aims to shrink tumors and help with symptoms while limiting side effects.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06990737RecruitingPhase 2
Sentinel node biopsy for high-risk skin cancer of the head and neck
This trial is testing whether a procedure called sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can help manage high-risk skin cancer on the head and neck that has not spread to lymph nodes. It is for people whose skin cancer is considered high-risk due to features like size, depth, or location, and who are able to have surgery.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06985784Recruiting
Virtual reality for head and neck cancer patients and caregivers
This study tests whether using virtual reality can help reduce depression, anxiety, and pain in people with head and neck cancer and their caregivers. You and your caregiver may be able to use VR headsets together as part of your treatment.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07225855Recruiting
Support for older adults with head and neck cancer and their caregivers
This trial tests whether a special geriatric assessment (a check-up for older adults) and extra support can help people aged 60+ with head and neck cancer feel better during chemotherapy and radiation. It also looks at how this helps their family or friend caregivers.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 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.
Fountain Valley, CaliforniaAges 18–130 - 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).
Marysville, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07276399RecruitingPhase 3
Study of amivantamab plus standard care for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding the drug amivantamab to usual treatments helps people with advanced head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. It compares the combination to standard care alone.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 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.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18–74 - NCT07195734RecruitingPhase 2
Adding chemo or immunotherapy before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether giving chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before surgery can improve outcomes for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has come back or not gone away after prior treatment.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07339176RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
A trial of N17350 injected into tumors for advanced solid cancers
This trial tests an experimental drug, N17350, that is injected directly into tumors. It is for people with advanced solid tumors that have stopped responding to standard treatments or who cannot receive them. The study aims to see if this approach is safe and effective.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07090499RecruitingPhase 1
Study of PF-08046876 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new medicine, PF-08046876, for people with advanced cancers of the bladder, lung, head and neck, esophagus, or pancreas. It aims to see if the drug is safe and works against these cancers.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06788990RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Study of ficerafusp alfa with pembrolizumab for advanced head and neck cancer
This study tests a new drug called ficerafusp alfa (BCA101) combined with the immunotherapy pembrolizumab for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has not been treated before. The goal is to see if adding ficerafusp alfa helps shrink tumors better than pembrolizumab alone.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 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.
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - 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+ - 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+ - 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.
Anaheim, CaliforniaAges 18–79 - NCT04895709RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing a new cancer drug for advanced solid tumors
This early-phase trial tests how well a new drug (BMS-986340) works alone and combined with other treatments in people with advanced solid tumors that have progressed despite standard care. It also studies tumor samples to look for biomarkers that may predict who benefits.
Clovis, CaliforniaAges 18 years+
Head and Neck Carcinoma trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck carcinoma studies listed above.
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 5 studies
- USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 5 studies
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center · 4 studies
- University of California, Irvine Medical Center / UC Irvine Health · 4 studies
- UC Irvine Health · 3 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 2 studies
- Los Angeles General Medical Center · 2 studies
- The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute · 2 studies
What taking part in a head and neck carcinoma 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 Carcinoma trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there head and neck carcinoma clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 79 recruiting head and neck carcinoma studies with a site in California, 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 carcinoma study in California?
- 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 California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, 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 carcinoma 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 carcinoma studies open in California 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.