Clinical trials · California
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 77 recruiting head and neck squamous cell cancer studies with a site in California — 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 California
- NCT04119024RecruitingPhase 1
Gene-edited immune cells for advanced melanoma or solid tumors
This Phase 1 study tests a gene-modified immune cell treatment for advanced cancers that don’t have standard curative options. It may help by attacking cancer cells that show a specific marker called IL13Rα2 after patients receive “conditioning” chemotherapy to prepare the immune system.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04333537RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Sentinel node biopsy versus standard neck surgery for early mouth cancer
This trial compares two ways of checking whether early oral cavity squamous cell cancer has spread to neck lymph nodes. It tests whether sentinel lymph node biopsy can find spread as well as standard neck dissection, while potentially reducing more extensive surgery for some people.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 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+ - NCT04510129Recruiting
Cancer biospecimen collection study for immunotherapy patients
This study collects samples (like tissue biopsies and imaging information) from people with certain cancers who are starting anti–PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. It helps researchers gather material to study how these treatments work.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 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+ - 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.
Anaheim, CaliforniaAges 18–79 - 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+ - NCT05877599RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a new treatment for advanced cancers with a specific gene change
This trial tests a new type of therapy (NT-175) for people with certain advanced cancers that have a specific genetic change. It might help if your tumor has the TP53 R175H mutation and you have the HLA-A*02:01 immune marker.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04969315RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Drug TT-10 and TT-4 for advanced solid tumors
This early-phase trial tests two investigational drugs—TT-10 and TT-4—alone and together in people with advanced solid cancers. The study is designed to find safe doses and see if the treatment can shrink tumors or slow cancer growth.
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+ - 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+ - NCT05107674RecruitingPhase 1
Early drug study for advanced cancers that have limited options
This Phase 1 study tests NX-1607 in adults with advanced cancers that are hard to treat with standard care. It focuses on safety and early signs of how well the drug may work in specific cancer types.
Los Angeles, 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+ - NCT05902988RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of VLS-1488 for advanced cancers
This early-phase study tests VLS-1488, a new cancer medicine, in people with advanced cancers that have limited treatment options. It may help by finding a safe dose and whether it can shrink or control tumors.
Newport Beach, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05983432RecruitingPhase 1
Study of BL-B01D1 for advanced lung and other solid tumors
This trial tests an experimental drug called BL-B01D1 for people with several types of advanced solid tumors, especially non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. It's designed for those whose cancer has continued to grow after standard treatments.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05985655RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of GTAEXS617 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called GTAEXS617 for adults with certain advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective.
Los Angeles, 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+ - 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+ - NCT06172478RecruitingPhase 2
HER3-DXd for advanced solid tumors after prior treatment
This trial tests a new targeted drug called HER3-DXd for people with several types of advanced solid tumors that have stopped responding to standard treatments. The drug is an antibody-drug conjugate, designed to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells that have a protein called HER3 on their surface.
Duarte, 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+
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck squamous cell cancer studies listed above.
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center · 8 studies
- USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 4 studies
- Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian · 3 studies
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center · 3 studies
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center · 3 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 3 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 3 studies
- University of Southern California · 3 studies
What taking part in a head and neck squamous cell cancer 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 Squamous Cell Cancer trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there head and neck squamous cell cancer clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 77 recruiting head and neck squamous cell cancer 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 squamous cell cancer 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 squamous cell cancer 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 squamous cell cancer 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.