Clinical trials
Head and Neck Carcinoma clinical trials
Below are recruiting head and neck carcinoma clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 503 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT04966481RecruitingPhase 3
Palbociclib plus cetuximab versus cetuximab alone
This trial studies whether adding palbociclib to cetuximab works better than cetuximab by itself for head and neck cancer that is growing again after an anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatment. It is for people whose tumor has a specific gene change (CDKN2A loss) and who have not had too many prior treatments.
Worthington, MinnesotaAges 18 years+ - 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+ - NCT04747054RecruitingPhase 3
Radiation plus pembrolizumab for newly diagnosed metastatic head and neck cancer
This trial studies whether adding pembrolizumab (an immune system medicine) to radiation can improve outcomes in people newly diagnosed with metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer. It may help the immune system better recognize and fight the cancer alongside radiation.
AvignonAges 18 years+ - NCT04722523RecruitingPhase 1
Cemiplimab plus chemo and other immune treatment for head and neck cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests how well cemiplimab (an immune treatment) can work when combined with chemotherapy and an additional immunotherapy for certain head and neck cancers. It may help shrink the cancer and improve outcomes, while also checking safety and dosing.
Basking Ridge, New JerseyAges 18 years+ - NCT04754321RecruitingPhase 1
Test immunotherapy with salvage surgery and IORT for head and neck cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests a new plan that combines immunotherapy with surgery, plus a targeted radiation treatment called IORT. It is for people whose head and neck squamous cell cancer has come back or never fully went away and can be operated on. The goal is to shrink or control the cancer and see how safe the approach is.
Columbus, OhioAges 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.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18–79 - NCT04564989Recruiting
Biomarker study for HPV-related throat cancer outcomes
This observational study checks how well a blood test for HPV DNA (and other tumor genetic markers) predicts outcomes in certain throat cancers. It may help doctors better track the disease and plan treatment, because the trial validates these lab signals against real-world results.
Rochester, MinnesotaAges 18 years+ - NCT04475640Recruiting
Genetic testing study for cancer patients in different ethnic groups
This study looks at cancer-related inherited gene changes using blood samples. It may help patients and doctors understand cancer risk and guide treatment planning, especially across different ethnic communities.
Scottsdale, ArizonaAges 18 years+ - 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+ - 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+ - NCT04151082RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Steroid therapy for late nerve damage after throat cancer radiation
This trial tests whether high-dose steroids (prednisone or methylprednisolone) can improve symptoms of nerve damage that may occur years after radiation treatment for oropharyngeal cancer. It includes a registry for tracking similar nerve issues in head and neck cancer survivors.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT04099290Recruiting
Blood DNA test in newly diagnosed head and neck cancer
This study looks at “circulating tumor DNA” (tumor DNA found in blood) in people with newly diagnosed, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer. Researchers want to see how the blood DNA levels relate to the cancer and how it may guide treatment after surgery.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 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.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18 years+ - NCT03010150Recruiting
Blood tests and swallowing exercise check-ins for head and neck cancer
This study looks at whether giving swallowing exercises and checking in with questionnaires can help people with metastatic (spreading to neck lymph nodes) head and neck cancers do the exercises correctly. It also uses blood tests to better understand adherence and progress over time.
Houston, TexasAges 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+ - NCT00991094Recruiting
Study follow-up after proton radiation treatment
This study collects information about both short-term and long-term side effects in people who receive proton radiation. It may help doctors better understand what happens to normal tissues over time and improve follow-up care.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT07506902Recruiting
Daily adjusted radiation for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a newer, more precise way of giving daily radiation for head and neck cancer. The treatment plan is adjusted each day to better target the tumor and protect healthy tissue.
CopenhagenAges 18 years+ - NCT06470217RecruitingPhase 2
Study of tirilizumab plus chemo for advanced oral cancer
This trial tests a combination of immunotherapy (tirilizumab) and two chemotherapy drugs (albumin-bound paclitaxel and cisplatin) for people with advanced but removable oral cancer. The goal is to see if this treatment shrinks the tumor before surgery and improves outcomes.
Shanghai, Shanghai MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT07337161Recruiting
Radiation for skin cancer that spread to neck lymph nodes
This trial tests a focused radiation treatment after surgery for people with a common skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) that has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck or near the ear. The goal is to see if this approach can prevent the cancer from coming back.
London, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT07115043RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of AZD6750 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called AZD6750 for people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective.
Grand Rapids, MichiganAges 18 years+ - NCT05108090Recruiting
Sentinel node biopsy for head and neck skin cancer
This study checks whether a “sentinel lymph node biopsy” can help find if skin cancer in the head or neck has spread to nearby lymph nodes. It uses special dye/medicine and imaging, then removes the cancer and the sentinel node soon after scanning.
Indianapolis, IndianaAges 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+ - NCT06479811RecruitingPhase 1
Radioactive drug for advanced neuroendocrine and other cancers
This early-stage trial tests a new radioactive drug (called [212Pb]VMT-Alpha-NET) that targets a marker on certain cancer cells. It may help shrink or slow the growth of tumors that have spread or can't be removed, and it's being studied for several cancer types, including neuroendocrine tumors, small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, and some head and neck cancers.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–120 - NCT06367257Recruiting
App to improve nutrition during head and neck cancer radiation
This study tests whether a smartphone app (Emento) can help people with head and neck cancer track and improve their nutrition during and after radiation therapy. The goal is to see if using the app makes it easier to eat well and stay healthy during treatment.
Erlangen, BavariaAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for head and neck carcinoma?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 503 recruiting head and neck carcinoma 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 carcinoma 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 carcinoma 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
- Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Head and Neck Cancer Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head and Neck Cancer (HNSCC)
- Resectable Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
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.