Clinical trials
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma clinical trials
Below are recruiting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 485 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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+ - NCT05539638Recruiting
Testing blood DNA for head and neck squamous cancer
This study looks at how tumor DNA found in a blood sample (a “DNA signal”) relates to head and neck cancer in the oropharynx. It may help doctors understand disease status and improve how they monitor treatment, for both HPV-positive and HPV-negative cancers.
Dundee, DD2 1SGAges 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+ - NCT05419089RecruitingPhase 2
Testing robotic surgery for HPV-related throat cancer patients
This Phase 2 trial studies a robotic surgery approach for certain HPV-related throat cancers, using HPV blood tests before and after surgery to guide care. If your cancer is HPV-related and your HPV blood test results match the trial targets, you may be able to join and help improve treatment for future patients.
Paramus, New JerseyAges 18 years+ - 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+ - NCT05377905RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Microneedle skin treatment plus doxorubicin for skin cancer
This early-phase study tests whether delivering chemotherapy through tiny skin needles (microneedles) can shrink or control cutaneous squamous cell cancer (cSCC) that can be surgically treated. Because it’s Phase 1/2, the main goals are to check safety and find the best way to deliver the treatment.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05328024Recruiting
Testing who benefits from anti–PD-1 immunotherapy in head cancer
This study looks for signs in your tumor that can predict how well anti–PD-1 immunotherapy will work for certain head and neck cancers. You may benefit by helping doctors match the right treatment to the right patients.
Strasbourg, FranceAges 18 years+ - NCT05317000RecruitingPhase 2
Testing a new treatment plan for HPV throat cancer before surgery
This Phase 2 trial studies whether 5-azacytidine and nivolumab (alone and/or together) can work well and be tolerated in people with HPV-related throat cancer that can be surgically removed. The goal is to help shrink or control the cancer before resection and learn more from added tumor samples.
New Haven, ConnecticutAges 18 years+ - NCT05269381RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Personalized cancer vaccine with pembrolizumab for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a personalized vaccine made from your tumor's unique markers, combined with the drug pembrolizumab, to help your immune system fight cancer. It is for people with advanced solid tumors who have already tried standard treatments.
Jacksonville, FloridaAges 16 years+ - NCT05268614RecruitingPhase 2
Risk-based reduced chemo and radiation for HPV throat cancer
This trial tests whether using a lower intensity (reduced) chemo-radiation plan can work for some people with HPV-related oropharyngeal (throat) cancer without losing effectiveness. It may help reduce side effects while still controlling the cancer.
Gainesville, FloridaAges 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.
Fullerton, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05208762RecruitingPhase 1
PD-L1 antibody drug study for advanced lung and head/neck cancers
This Phase 1 trial tests a new experimental drug (PF-08046054/SGN-PDL1V) in people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatment or can’t use it. It is designed to see how the drug works and how safe it is, with a focus on tumors that have PD-L1 seen on prior lab testing.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 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.
Tampa, FloridaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 18 years+ - NCT05187091RecruitingPhase 3
Radiation plan that tries to protect swallowing organs
This Phase 3 study compares a standard radiation approach versus a modified approach designed to spare key swallowing and aspiration (choking) related areas and one salivary gland. It may help reduce treatment side effects that affect swallowing and quality of life for certain head and neck cancer patients.
Jhajjar, HaryanaAges 18–70 - NCT05183048RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Test a new PET scan to find head and neck cancer
This early-phase study compares a special imaging marker with a standard PET scan to help identify head and neck squamous cell carcinoma before surgery. It may help doctors see where cancer is (especially if lymph nodes look negative) so surgery planning can be more accurate.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 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.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 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+ - NCT05076760RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a cancer-killing virus with standard treatments
This Phase 1 trial tests MEM-288, an oncolytic (cancer-killing) virus, either alone or combined with standard cancer medicines, in people with advanced solid tumors. It’s designed to see how the treatment works and how safe it is in different cancer types and after specific prior therapies.
Tampa, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT05085496RecruitingPhase 1
Radiation plus atezolizumab for advanced skin cancer
This Phase 1 trial studies adding atezolizumab (an immune therapy) to radiation for people with hard-to-remove or borderline-resectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The goal is to see whether this combination can better control the cancer and whether the treatment is safe.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05047094Recruiting
DaRT radiation plus pembrolizumab for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether a targeted internal radiation treatment (DaRT) combined with pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) can shrink recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer that cannot be fully removed with surgery. It may help by making cancer more visible to the immune system while delivering localized radiation to a tumor area.
JerusalemAges 18 years+ - NCT05059444Recruiting
Blood test to catch cancer early after treatment
This study looks for signs of cancer left in the body after treatment using a simple blood test (called a liquid biopsy). It aims to see if the test can catch cancer that might come back earlier than regular scans.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 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+
Hear when a new Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 485 recruiting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma 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 carcinoma 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 carcinoma 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
- Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Head and Neck Cancer Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head and Neck Cancer (HNSCC)
- Resectable Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
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.