Clinical trials · Illinois
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma clinical trials in Illinois
We’re tracking 40 recruiting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma studies with a site in Illinois — 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 Illinois
- 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.
Evanston, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT07109726RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing TER-2013 for advanced tumors with AKT/PI3K/PTEN changes
This trial tests a new drug called TER-2013, alone or combined with another drug (fulvestrant), for people with advanced solid tumors that have specific genetic changes in the AKT/PI3K/PTEN pathway. It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective.
Zion, IllinoisAges 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.
Alton, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT07195734RecruitingPhase 2
Adding chemo or immunotherapy before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether giving chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before surgery can improve outcomes for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has come back or not gone away after prior treatment.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05136196RecruitingPhase 2
Cabozantinib plus nivolumab for advanced melanoma or head-neck cancer
This trial tests whether combining two immunotherapy medicines—cabozantinib and nivolumab—can shrink advanced melanoma or certain head-and-neck squamous cell cancers. It is mainly for people whose cancer has grown after prior PD-1 treatment.
Aurora, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06585410RecruitingPhase 3
Cemiplimab injection for early-stage skin cancer
This trial tests a drug (cemiplimab) injected directly into early-stage skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) to see if it can shrink or cure the cancer before surgery. It may help patients avoid more extensive surgery or reduce the chance of the cancer coming back.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT07441681RecruitingPhase 3
Comparing radiation plus targeted therapy vs standard chemo for head and neck cancer
This trial compares two treatments for advanced head and neck cancer in patients who cannot take the drug cisplatin. One group gets radiation plus a targeted drug called cetuximab, the other gets radiation plus standard chemotherapy. The goal is to see which approach works better and is safer for people who are not candidates for cisplatin.
Bloomington, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06005324RecruitingPhase 1
Personalized treatment for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests a custom treatment plan for people with advanced head and neck cancer that is not caused by HPV. It combines radiation and chemotherapy with a targeted drug called cetuximab, adjusted based on your tumor's characteristics.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06129864RecruitingPhase 3
Study of Volrustomig for advanced head and neck cancer after chemoradiation
This trial tests a new drug called volrustomig (MEDI5752) for people with advanced head and neck cancer that was not removed by surgery and has been treated with chemoradiation. The goal is to see if the drug can help prevent the cancer from coming back.
Niles, IllinoisAges 18–130 - NCT05176483RecruitingPhase 1
New drug combinations for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called zanzalintinib, which may slow or shrink various types of advanced cancer. It is given together with other cancer treatments, and the study is looking at many different cancers including kidney, prostate, bladder, lung, liver, and more.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06465069RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a new drug for advanced bladder and other solid tumors
This study tests a new drug (LY4052031) for people with several types of advanced solid tumors, especially bladder cancer. It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective when given alone or after other treatments have stopped working.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - 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).
Barrington, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT07276399RecruitingPhase 3
Study of amivantamab plus standard care for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding the drug amivantamab to usual treatments helps people with advanced head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. It compares the combination to standard care alone.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04198766RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
New OX40 immunotherapy for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new immunotherapy drug (INBRX-106) alone or with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for adults with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. The goal is to see if the drug can help the immune system fight cancer.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06496178RecruitingPhase 3
Petosemtamab for advanced head and neck cancer after prior treatment
This trial tests a new drug called petosemtamab for people with head and neck cancer that has gotten worse after immunotherapy and platinum chemotherapy. The goal is to see if it works better than the standard single-drug options available.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–79 - 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05420948RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab with chemotherapy for returning or spread head cancer
This Phase 2 study tests pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) plus chemotherapy to treat head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. You might be eligible if standard local treatments won’t be curative and your tumor can be measured on scans.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05526924RecruitingPhase 1
Phase 1 trial tests re-radiation plus immunotherapy and a cancer pill
This trial studies whether adding a checkpoint immunotherapy (tislelizumab) and a cancer pill (pamiparib) to radiation can better treat cancer that has come back in the head and neck. It’s for adults with previously treated, HPV-positive oropharynx tumors, usually without widespread spread.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 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.
Evanston, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05977907RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy before surgery for head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests pembrolizumab and an investigational drug (IO102-103) given before surgery for certain non-bulky head and neck squamous cell cancers. The goal is to shrink the cancer and improve chances of cure by treating it before the operation.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma trials by city in Illinois
Where these studies are running in Illinois
Institutions with a site for the recruiting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma studies listed above.
- University of Chicago · 11 studies
- Northwestern University · 8 studies
- Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois - Decatur · 5 studies
- Carle at The Riverfront · 5 studies
- Carle Cancer Center · 5 studies
- Carle Physician Group-Effingham · 5 studies
- Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston · 5 studies
- Decatur Memorial Hospital · 5 studies
What taking part in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma 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 Carcinoma trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there head and neck squamous cell carcinoma clinical trials in Illinois?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 40 recruiting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma studies with a site in Illinois, 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 carcinoma study in Illinois?
- 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 Illinois to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in Illinois, 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 carcinoma 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 carcinoma studies open in Illinois 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.