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 484 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT06572514RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Lower radiation after chemo-immunotherapy for head and neck cancer
This trial tests if giving less radiation than usual is safe and effective for certain head and neck cancers after initial treatment with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. It aims to reduce side effects while still controlling the cancer.
Shanghai, Shanghai MunicipalityAges 18 years+ - NCT06470217RecruitingPhase 2
Study of tirilizumab plus chemo for advanced oral cancer
This trial tests a combination of immunotherapy (tirilizumab) and two chemotherapy drugs (albumin-bound paclitaxel and cisplatin) for people with advanced but removable oral cancer. The goal is to see if this treatment shrinks the tumor before surgery and improves outcomes.
Shanghai, Shanghai MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT05710679Recruiting
Blood test predicts leftover cancer after intensified head and neck radiation
This study uses a blood test to see whether cancer DNA is still detectable after a stronger combination of radiation and chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer. The goal is to predict who may have “residual” (remaining) disease and help guide future care.
Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-DômeAges 18–80 - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - NCT04966481RecruitingPhase 3
Palbociclib plus cetuximab versus cetuximab alone
This trial studies whether adding palbociclib to cetuximab works better than cetuximab by itself for head and neck cancer that is growing again after an anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatment. It is for people whose tumor has a specific gene change (CDKN2A loss) and who have not had too many prior treatments.
Worthington, MinnesotaAges 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+ - NCT06823479RecruitingPhase 2
Ultra-short immunotherapy before surgery for skin cancer
This trial tests a very short course of immunotherapy (nivolumab) before standard surgery for patients with certain types of advanced or hard-to-treat skin cancer (cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma). The goal is to see if this approach can reduce the need for extensive or disfiguring surgery.
Maastricht, LimburgAges 18 years+ - NCT06857279RecruitingPhase 2
Testing HLX43 for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests an investigational drug called HLX43 for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. It aims to see if the drug can shrink tumors or slow cancer growth.
Jinan, ShandongAges 18–75 - NCT06240689RecruitingPhase 2
Immune maintenance therapy after chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor (a drug that helps your immune system fight cancer) as maintenance therapy after chemoradiotherapy improves outcomes for people with locally advanced head and neck cancer. It specifically looks at a marker in your blood (CD8Tex cells) to see if you might benefit.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 18–75 - 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 - NCT07524452RecruitingPhase 3
Becotatug vedotin plus immunotherapy for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new combination of two drugs—becotatug vedotin (a targeted therapy) and a PD-1 inhibitor (an immunotherapy)—given before surgery to treat advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to shrink tumors and improve surgical outcomes for patients with specific cancer markers.
Zhuhai, GuangdongAges 18–75 - NCT07371234RecruitingPhase 2
Low-dose radiation and immunotherapy before surgery for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of low-dose radiation and an immunotherapy drug (similar to Keytruda) given before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if this approach can shrink tumors and improve outcomes.
GuangdongAges 18–75 - NCT06288191RecruitingPhase 2
Nivolumab and relatlimab before surgery for skin cancer
This trial tests if two immunotherapy drugs, nivolumab and relatlimab, given before surgery can help shrink a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. It's for people whose cancer can be removed with surgery.
Wollstonecraft, New South WalesAges 18 years+ - NCT06306846RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation and immunotherapy before surgery for head and neck cancer
This study tests giving a short course of targeted radiation (SBRT) along with immunotherapy and a targeted drug before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if this combination can shrink the tumor and improve outcomes.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 18–70 - NCT07492914RecruitingPhase 2
Study of pre-surgery drugs for head and neck cancer
This trial tests two medications given before surgery for head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if shrinking the tumor beforehand improves outcomes. If you have operable head and neck squamous cell cancer and are generally healthy, you may be eligible.
Chengdu, SichuanAges 18 years+ - NCT06959082RecruitingPhase 2
Testing an experimental drug with chemoradiation for head and neck cancer
This trial tests an experimental drug called VS-101 combined with standard radiation and chemotherapy for people with advanced head and neck cancer that hasn't been surgically removed. The goal is to see if adding this drug helps the treatment work better while keeping side effects manageable.
New Haven, ConnecticutAges 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 - NCT05815927RecruitingPhase 3
Pembrolizumab with targeted radiation for limited head and neck spread
This Phase 3 trial studies whether adding pembrolizumab (an immune medicine) to focused radiation (SABR) can better control head and neck cancer that has spread to only 1–5 spots. It may help some people live longer or delay cancer worsening by treating both the immune system and the specific metastases.
BrusselsAges 18 years+ - NCT07457346RecruitingPhase 2
Testing emactinib with chemo and immunotherapy before head and neck cancer surgery
This trial tests whether combining the drug emactinib with chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery helps treat advanced head and neck cancer. It aims to shrink tumors and make surgery more effective.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 18–75 - NCT06959108RecruitingPhase 2
Comparing two treatments for head and neck cancer before chemoradiation
This trial tests two different drug combos—one using an EGFR-targeted therapy alone, the other adding an immunotherapy—before standard chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer. The goal is to see which approach works better without prior treatment.
VillejuifAges 18–75 - NCT06640725RecruitingPhase 2
TPEx chemo with maintenance immunotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of chemotherapy drugs (TPEx) followed by two immunotherapy drugs (avelumab and cetuximab) as a first treatment for head and neck cancer that has spread or come back. It is for people whose tumors show a protein called PD-L1 and who have not had chemotherapy for advanced disease before.
Vandœuvre-lès-NancyAges 18–74 - NCT07227792Recruiting
Tongue-out radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
This trial tests if sticking your tongue out during radiation therapy can reduce side effects. It is for people with certain types of head and neck cancer who are getting radiation to the main tumor.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 484 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.