Clinical trials
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer clinical trials
Below are recruiting head and neck squamous cell cancer clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 445 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04178174RecruitingPhase 3
Boost radiation for HPV throat cancer with shorter treatment
This trial studies whether adding a precise “extra boost” to radiation can work as well as (or better than) standard radiation for HPV-related oropharynx cancer, while keeping the overall treatment shorter. It may help improve tumor control while aiming for manageable side effects.
London, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT04185974Recruiting
Carbon ion re-irradiation for returning head and neck cancer
This trial tests a type of radiation called carbon-ion re-irradiation for people whose head and neck cancer has come back or grown again after earlier radiation. It may help control the cancer after certain surgeries, but it also requires specific safety conditions about timing, prior treatment areas, and overall health.
HeidelbergAges 18 years+ - NCT04191460RecruitingPhase 2
Fluorescence-guided surgery for oral cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests a special light-tracking medicine (cRGD-ZW800-1) to help surgeons see oral cancer during surgery. The goal is to improve how well the tumor is found and removed while keeping side effects manageable.
Rotterdam, South HollandAges 18 years+ - NCT04220749RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation vs mouth surgery for HPV-negative throat cancer
This Phase 2 trial compares two standard cancer treatments—radiation or surgery through the mouth—for HPV-negative oropharyngeal throat cancer. It aims to find out which approach works better while keeping side effects and quality of life acceptable.
London, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT04224389Recruiting
Radiation plus throat surgery for early tonsil or tongue-base cancer
This study compares ways of treating early squamous cell cancer in the tonsil or the tongue base, using either radiation therapy, transoral (through-the-mouth) surgery, or both. It aims to see which approach works best while keeping cancer under control.
Villejuif, Val De MarneAges 18 years+ - NCT04261192Recruiting
Grow lab models of head and neck cancer to test treatments
This study collects tissue from people with newly diagnosed head and neck squamous cell cancer and grows “mini tumor models” in the lab. The goal is to see how these models respond to new therapies, which may help guide more effective treatment choices in the future.
CaenAges 18 years+ - 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.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 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+ - NCT04428671RecruitingPhase 1
Cemiplimab before and after surgery for high-risk skin cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests the drug cemiplimab given before and after surgery to reduce the chance that high-risk cutaneous squamous cell cancer comes back. You may be a candidate if your cancer is high-risk on pathology or imaging and is planned for surgical removal.
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+ - NCT04444869RecruitingPhase 2
Lower-dose radiation with chemotherapy for low-risk HPV throat cancer
This trial tests whether a less intense (lower-dose) radiation plan, combined with chemotherapy, can control HPV-positive oropharyngeal (throat) cancer with fewer side effects. It targets people considered “low-risk” based on tumor size and lymph node involvement.
Columbia, MissouriAges 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+ - NCT04511078RecruitingPhase 2
Panitumumab-IRDye800 during head and neck surgery
This Phase 2 study tests a targeted medicine (panitumumab-IRDye800) given around the time of surgery for head and neck squamous cell cancer. It aims to improve doctors’ ability to find and remove cancer tissue during planned surgery.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18 years+ - NCT04528420Recruiting
Early treatment plan for head and neck skin cancer
This study tests an optimized plan for treating squamous cell cancer in the head and neck area using curative treatment that includes chemotherapy with cisplatin plus radiation after surgery. It may help doctors improve early management and outcomes for people eligible for this standard approach.
AmiensAges 18–75 - 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+ - 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+ - NCT04567056Recruiting
Tested blood or tissue patterns in head and neck cancer
This study looks at specific genetic “methylation” patterns in people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The results may help doctors understand the disease better and identify who may benefit from future treatments.
AalborgAges 18 years+ - NCT04593589RecruitingPhase 1
Stem cell transplant to protect salivary function after oral cancer
This Phase 1 study tests whether transplanting stem cells into the submandibular gland can help restore saliva function after surgery and radiation for oral cavity squamous cell cancer. You may be considered because you recently had tumor removal and radiation aimed at the neck area, which can damage salivary glands.
GroningenAges 18 years+ - NCT04612075Recruiting
PET-MR scan study for head and neck squamous cancer
This study uses a combined PET/MR scan to better look at head and neck squamous cell cancer before or during treatment. It may help doctors see where the cancer is and how far it has spread, to support planning for curative radiation treatment.
TromsøAges 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 - NCT04681469RecruitingPhase 2
Niraparib plus immunotherapy for HPV-negative head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 study tests a cancer “induction then maintenance” plan using a PARP inhibitor (niraparib) along with immunotherapy (TSR-042) in people with HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell cancer. If it works, it may improve control of the cancer after surgery by boosting the immune system and targeting cancer cells’ DNA repair.
BresciaAges 18 years+ - NCT04688528Recruiting
Radiation planning to spare the opposite neck in head cancer
This trial tests a safer radiation plan that may reduce dose to the opposite (other) side of the neck while still treating the cancer spread risk. It uses special mapping to guide treatment and looks at patients whose cancer is already in an involved lymph node on one side.
Genk, LimburgAges 18 years+ - NCT04729543RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
TCR cell therapy for melanoma and head and neck cancer
This early-phase study tests a lab-made T-cell treatment that targets a specific tumor marker (MC2) in melanoma and head and neck cancers. It aims to see if the treatment can safely shrink tumors and control cancer after standard options have run out.
RotterdamAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for head and neck squamous cell cancer?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 445 recruiting head and neck squamous cell cancer 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 squamous cell cancer 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 squamous cell cancer 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 Cancer Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head and Neck Cancer (HNSCC)
- 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
- Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- 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.