Clinical trials
Head and Neck (HNSCC) clinical trials
Below are recruiting head and neck (hnscc) clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 208 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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).
Little Rock, ArkansasAges 18 years+ - NCT07058805RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation therapy after surgery for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether giving radiation therapy in a specific way (compartmentalized) after surgery for head and neck cancer is safe and effective. It is for people with certain types of head and neck cancer that have been removed, and aims to improve outcomes while managing side effects.
BaselAges 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+ - 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+ - NCT06239220RecruitingPhase 2
Combination immunotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of three immunotherapy drugs (PD-L1 t-haNK, NAI IL-15sa, and cetuximab) for people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that has spread or cannot be cured. The goal is to see if this treatment can shrink tumors or slow the disease.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT07094685RecruitingPhase 2
Ivonescimab before surgery for head and neck cancer
This study tests a new immunotherapy drug called ivonescimab given before surgery for people with advanced head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if it helps shrink the tumor and improve outcomes.
Ann Arbor, MichiganAges 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+ - 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+ - 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.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18 years+ - NCT06662058Recruiting
Remote hearing test for head and neck cancer patients on cisplatin or radiation
This study tests a remote hearing test to monitor hearing changes in patients with head and neck cancer getting cisplatin chemotherapy and/or radiation. The goal is to catch hearing loss early so treatment can be adjusted.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAges 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 - NCT07214987RecruitingPhase 2
PDT with immunotherapy and chemo for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of an immunotherapy drug (toripalimab) and two chemotherapy drugs (cisplatin and docetaxel) as a first treatment before surgery or radiation for advanced head and neck cancers. It may help shrink tumors that can't be easily treated with standard therapy.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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+ - NCT04807140RecruitingPhase 2
Study of toripalimab before surgery for head and neck cancer
This trial tests toripalimab (an immunotherapy) given before surgery for untreated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, either alone or with chemotherapy. The goal is to shrink or control the cancer earlier and see if it improves outcomes for people who plan curative surgery.
Guangzhou, GuangdongAges 18–80 - NCT05576974RecruitingPhase 2
Test a dye used during surgery to find head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether a single dose of an imaging dye (given during surgery) can help doctors find the unknown origin of head and neck cancer and check safety. It may help guide surgery and biopsies when the primary cancer location hasn’t been identified.
Dallas, TexasAges 18–99 - NCT05726370RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab plus chemo before surgery for recurrent head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests whether giving pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) plus chemotherapy before curative surgery can improve outcomes for people with resectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer. It also studies how these treatments affect the tumor and immune response using required tissue and blood samples.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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.
Gilbert, ArizonaAges 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.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07601737RecruitingPhase 2
Nimotuzumab with immunotherapy and chemotherapy for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of three treatments—nimotuzumab (a targeted therapy), a PD-1 inhibitor (which boosts your immune system), and chemotherapy—followed by surgery for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to shrink the tumor and improve survival.
ShanghaiAges 18–75 - NCT06494943RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of IBI110 and Sintilimab with Chemo for Head and Neck Cancer
This trial tests a combination of two immunotherapy drugs (IBI110 and sintilimab) with chemotherapy before surgery for people with advanced head and neck cancer that can be removed surgically. The goal is to see if this approach helps shrink tumors and improve outcomes.
Shanghai, Shanghai MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT06797986RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Vaccine for HPV-positive head and neck cancer
This trial tests an investigational vaccine called BVAC-E6E7 for head and neck cancer caused by HPV types 16 or 18 that has come back or spread. It is for people who have already tried standard treatments like platinum chemo or immunotherapy, or can't take them.
SeoulAges 19 years+ - NCT06601335RecruitingPhase 3
New immunotherapy combo for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new combination of two immunotherapy drugs (AK112 and AK117) versus the standard immunotherapy pembrolizumab for people with advanced head and neck cancer that hasn't been treated before.
Wuhan, HubeiAges 18–75 - 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+ - NCT06607406Recruiting
Timing of radiation after surgery for head and neck cancer
This study tests whether starting radiation therapy more than 6 weeks (but within 16 weeks) after surgery is safe and effective for people with certain high-risk head and neck cancers. It could help those who had to delay radiation for recovery or other reasons.
Charlotte, North CarolinaAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for head and neck (hnscc)?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 208 recruiting head and neck (hnscc) 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 (hnscc) 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 (hnscc) 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
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head and Neck Cancer (HNSCC)
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Head and Neck Neoplasms
- Head and Neck Carcinoma
- Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Locally Advanced 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.