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 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- 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+ - NCT05059444Recruiting
Blood test study to watch for cancer coming back
This study looks at whether blood tests can detect signs that cancer may return after curative-intent treatment. You would have blood drawn around your usual follow-up visits for up to 5 years, and your de-identified health data would be shared with study investigators.
Redwood City, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05086692RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Beta-only IL-2 therapy for advanced solid tumors
This Phase 1/2 study tests a beta-only version of IL-2, an immune-stimulating treatment, to shrink or control advanced or metastatic solid tumors. It’s mainly designed to check safety and to see if it can help patients by improving tumor response.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05283226RecruitingPhase 2
Oral anti-cancer pill plus paclitaxel after immunotherapy failure
This Phase 2 trial studies an oral study drug (NRC-2694-A) given with paclitaxel to treat head and neck squamous cell cancer that has come back or spread after immunotherapy. It tests whether this combination is safer and works better than expected for people whose cancer progressed on immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05669430RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing an anti-cancer drug alone and with pembrolizumab
This early-phase study tests GV20-0251 (an anti-cancer treatment) by itself and combined with pembrolizumab, to see how well it works and how safe it is. It is for adults with advanced solid tumors that have grown despite standard treatments, or where standard treatments aren’t an option.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 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.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06163534Recruiting
Biomarker profiling study for advanced head and neck cancer patients
This study collects blood and tumor tissue samples to analyze biological markers in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma before starting immunotherapy. The goal is to better understand how these markers relate to treatment response.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06211335RecruitingPhase 1
Losartan, pembrolizumab and radiation for advanced head & neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of three treatments—a blood pressure drug (losartan), an immunotherapy (pembrolizumab), and targeted radiation—for people with head and neck cancer that has come back, spread to a few spots, or is not responding to other treatments. The goal is to see if this mix can shrink tumors and help patients who have few options left.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Torrance, CaliforniaAges 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.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 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.
Buena Park, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06606028Recruiting
Blood test for leftover cancer DNA after head and neck cancer treatment
This study uses a simple blood test to look for leftover cancer DNA after treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to see if the test can find very small amounts of cancer early, which might help doctors make better decisions about follow-up care.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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+ - 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.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06535607RecruitingPhase 2
Study of volrustomig for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called volrustomig, alone or with other cancer treatments, for people with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. It aims to see if the drug can help shrink or control the cancer.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06736379RecruitingPhase 1
RNA Therapy Injections for Head and Neck Cancer
This trial tests a new type of immunotherapy made of self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) that produces a protein called IL-12. It's injected directly into head and neck tumors to help your immune system fight the cancer. The study is for people whose cancer has not responded well to standard treatments or who are having surgery to remove their tumor.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06992427RecruitingPhase 3
Gabapentin to prevent opioid use for mouth pain during cancer treatment
This trial tests if taking gabapentin during chemoradiation for head and neck cancer can reduce the need for strong painkillers like opioids. It may help manage mouth pain caused by treatment.
Dublin, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07216105RecruitingPhase 1
FT836 immune cell therapy for advanced solid tumors
This study tests a new immune cell therapy called FT836, given alone or with chemotherapy or other antibodies, for people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to previous treatments. The goal is to see if it is safe and helps shrink or control tumors.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT00568490Recruiting
Finding blood markers that show low oxygen in tumors
This study looks for substances in blood that may reflect how “low-oxygen” a tumor is. If you have head and neck cancer or non-small cell lung cancer, it may help researchers understand tumor oxygen levels and improve future care.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Arroyo Grande, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07462377RecruitingPhase 1
Testing EPI-326 for EGFR-mutant lung and head & neck cancers
This trial tests a new drug, EPI-326, in people with advanced lung or head & neck cancers that have certain EGFR changes. The goal is to see if it is safe and may help shrink the cancer.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04981119Recruiting
Test apheresis for CAR T manufacturing in HLA-A2 solid tumors
This trial studies how a process called apheresis is used to make CAR T cells for people with certain solid tumors. It is designed for tumors that have lost a specific immune marker (HLA-A*02), which may affect how well CAR T therapies work.
Santa Monica, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06022029RecruitingPhase 1
Study of injected ONM-501 alone or with cemiplimab for advanced cancers
This trial tests an injected study drug (ONM-501) alone or with another drug (cemiplimab) for people with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas that haven't responded to other treatments. It aims to find a safe dose and see if the combination helps shrink or control the cancer.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05208762RecruitingPhase 1
PD-L1 antibody drug study for advanced lung and head/neck cancers
This Phase 1 trial tests a new experimental drug (PF-08046054/SGN-PDL1V) in people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatment or can’t use it. It is designed to see how the drug works and how safe it is, with a focus on tumors that have PD-L1 seen on prior lab testing.
Irvine, 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.
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center · 4 studies
- Stanford University · 3 studies
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center · 3 studies
- University of California San Diego Health · 3 studies
- USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 3 studies
- Los Angeles General Medical Center · 2 studies
- Providence Medical Foundation · 2 studies
- UC Irvine Health · 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.