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 209 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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+ - NCT02678884Recruiting
PET-CT scan study for head and neck cancer before radiotherapy
This study uses PET-CT scans (a type of imaging that highlights active cancer cells) in people with a specific kind of head and neck cancer. The goal is to see how well the first scan identifies tumors that should be checked again with a second scan, to better guide care with radiotherapy.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT07618624Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Drug combination before surgery for recurrent head and neck cancer
This trial tests three drugs (finotonlimab, cetuximab, and docetaxel) given before surgery to remove recurrent head and neck cancer in patients whose cancer stopped responding to previous immunotherapy. The goal is to shrink the tumor and improve surgical outcomes.
Foshan, GuangdongAges 18–75 - NCT07465276RecruitingPhase 2
Two immunotherapies before surgery for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new combination of two immunotherapy drugs (ficerafusp alfa and pembrolizumab) given before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer that can be removed. The goal is to see if this approach can shrink the tumor and improve outcomes.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT06868433RecruitingPhase 1
TMV vaccine alone or with pembrolizumab for advanced HNSCC
This trial tests a vaccine made from your own tumor to help your immune system fight head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. It is given alone or with an immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab) to see if it can shrink tumors or slow progression.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAges 18 years+ - NCT05838729RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
RiMO-301 plus radiation with PD-1 therapy for head-neck cancer
This trial studies RiMO-301 injection combined with palliative radiation and a PD-1 immune therapy (pembrolizumab or nivolumab) for head and neck cancer that cannot be fully removed. It aims to see whether this approach can shrink tumors and improve outcomes safely.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT07545967RecruitingPhase 1
Re-radiation and Chidamide for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer
This trial tests combining re-radiation (radiation therapy given a second time) with a drug called chidamide to treat head and neck cancer that has come back after previous radiation. The goal is to see if this combination can help patients whose cancer cannot be removed by surgery or who cannot have surgery.
Chengdu, SichuanAges 18–75 - NCT05595590RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation plus immunotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer
This study tests whether adding an immunotherapy medicine called tislelizumab to radiation can better control recurrent (coming back) head and neck squamous cell cancer. It is aimed at people whose cancer can’t be fully removed by surgery or can’t be safely removed.
Chengdu, SichuanAges 18–75 - NCT07147426RecruitingPhase 2
Tislelizumab plus chemo before surgery for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether giving the immunotherapy drug tislelizumab with chemotherapy before surgery can help people with advanced head and neck cancer. The goal is to shrink the tumor enough to remove it completely during surgery.
Tianjin, Tianjin MunicipalityAges 18 years+ - NCT06052839RecruitingPhase 2
Pulsed chemo plus pembrolizumab for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new way to give chemotherapy (pulsed doses) together with pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) for people with head and neck cancer that has come back or spread and cannot be cured with local treatments. The goal is to see if this combination works better than standard approaches.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06791941Recruiting
Studying therapy resistance in recurrent head and neck cancer
This study looks at why some head and neck cancers come back after treatment. It will test tumor tissue from people having surgery to see if certain proteins (mutant p53 and YAP) are linked to treatment resistance. Your participation could help researchers understand how to better treat these cancers in the future.
Roma, RomeAges 18 years+ - NCT06912087RecruitingPhase 1
Finding the right dose of a new combo for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new three-drug combination for advanced head and neck cancer that cannot be cured by local treatments. It aims to find the best dose of a targeted therapy called Zanzalintinib when given with two standard immunotherapy and targeted drugs.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05793151Recruiting
Guided care to start cancer treatment on time after surgery
This trial tests a navigation program (help from a care coordinator) versus usual care to help people start the recommended “next-step” treatments (like radiation, sometimes with chemo) on time after surgery. It’s for certain stages of squamous cell cancer in the head and neck area where late treatment could matter.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18 years+ - NCT06642324Recruiting
HPV and genetics in head and neck cancer study
This study looks at how HPV infection and genetic changes relate to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. If you have this type of cancer, joining could help doctors learn more about the disease and improve future treatments.
Dhaka, Dhaka DivisionAges 18 years+ - NCT07457281RecruitingPhase 1
A new drug combo for head and neck cancer before surgery
This trial tests two drugs, GV20-0251 and Sintilimab, given before surgery for head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if this combination can shrink tumors and make surgery more effective.
ChengduAges 18–70 - NCT05172245RecruitingPhase 1
Testing a new drug added to chemoradiation for head and neck cancer
This study tests whether adding a new targeted drug called ipatasertib to standard chemoradiation can improve treatment for people with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Ipatasertib may help block a protein that helps cancer grow, possibly making the standard therapy more effective.
Tampa, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT05707078Recruiting
PET/CT follow-up for head and neck cancer
This study uses a PET/CT scan (a special scan that can look for signs of cancer activity) after curative treatment for head and neck squamous cell cancer. It aims to help check how well prior treatment is working and whether cancer may come back.
Copenhagen, CopenhagenAges 18 years+ - NCT06636734RecruitingPhase 2
Lovastatin plus pembrolizumab for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding lovastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug) to pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) works better than pembrolizumab alone for head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. It's for people who haven't had immunotherapy before and aren't already on a statin.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAges 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+ - NCT06248996RecruitingPhase 3
Testing a stronger radiation schedule for large head and neck cancers
This trial tests whether giving a slightly different schedule of radiation (more frequent, smaller doses) can improve treatment for people with large head and neck cancers. It is for patients who are getting radiation as their main treatment, sometimes with chemotherapy as well.
GävleAges 18–100 - NCT05376553Enrolling by invitationPhase 1
Test cemiplimab plus chemo before treatment for head and neck cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests cemiplimab (an immune system medicine) given with “induction” chemotherapy before the main treatment for locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer. It’s designed to see how well this treatment is tolerated and to learn about immune responses that may help future patients.
New York, New YorkAges 18 years+ - NCT05414032RecruitingPhase 2
Using leftover DNA signals to guide treatment after head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests a drug strategy for people with locally advanced head and neck cancer linked to HPV status. It looks at “molecular residual disease” by measuring tumor DNA in blood and uses early response and tumor test results to see who may benefit.
TorontoAges 18 years+ - NCT07405086RecruitingPhase 4
Morning versus afternoon immunotherapy for advanced cancer
This trial tests whether getting your immunotherapy infusion in the morning or in the afternoon makes any difference in how well it works. If you have certain types of advanced cancer and are about to start a standard FDA-approved immunotherapy, this study may help you and others by finding the best time of day for treatment.
Portland, OregonAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for head and neck (hnscc)?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 209 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.