Clinical trials · Pennsylvania
Head and Neck Carcinoma clinical trials in Pennsylvania
We’re tracking 47 recruiting head and neck carcinoma studies with a site in Pennsylvania — 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 Pennsylvania
- 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.
Allentown, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Erie, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Chadds Ford, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Willow Grove, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07227792Recruiting
Tongue-out radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
This trial tests if sticking your tongue out during radiation therapy can reduce side effects. It is for people with certain types of head and neck cancer who are getting radiation to the main tumor.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18–130 - NCT07156227RecruitingPhase 1
Testing camonsertib with radiation for returning head and neck cancer
This study tests whether adding the drug camonsertib to radiation therapy can help people whose head and neck cancer has come back in a spot that was already treated with radiation. Camonsertib is an experimental drug that may help radiation work better.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - 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).
Allentown, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18–74 - 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.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Bensalem, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
York, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Altoona, PennsylvaniaAges 18–79 - 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+ - 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.
Broomall, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Easton, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05977907RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy before surgery for head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests pembrolizumab and an investigational drug (IO102-103) given before surgery for certain non-bulky head and neck squamous cell cancers. The goal is to shrink the cancer and improve chances of cure by treating it before the operation.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
York, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 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.
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+
Where these studies are running in Pennsylvania
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck carcinoma studies listed above.
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center · 8 studies
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital · 6 studies
- UPMC Hamot · 4 studies
- UPMC St. Margaret · 4 studies
- Asplundh Cancer Pavilion · 3 studies
- Cancer Care Associates of York · 3 studies
- Fox Chase Cancer Center · 3 studies
- IRMC Cancer Center · 3 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 Pennsylvania?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 47 recruiting head and neck carcinoma studies with a site in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania?
- 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 Pennsylvania to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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.