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
- NCT03406247RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy after salvage surgery for head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests an immunotherapy given after salvage surgery for certain head and neck squamous cell cancers that came back (or a new second cancer) in an area that was already treated with radiation. It aims to lower the chance the cancer returns after surgery, especially in higher-risk situations.
Villejuif, Val De MarneAges 18 years+ - NCT03556228RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Tested medicine for tumors with TrkA changes, alone or with pembrolizumab
This early-phase study tests VMD-928, a targeted cancer medicine, for cancers that have TrkA-related tumor changes. It may be given by itself or with pembrolizumab to see if it can shrink tumors when standard treatments have not worked.
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT03740256RecruitingPhase 1
HER2-targeted oncolytic virus plus custom immune cells for solid cancers
This Phase 1 study tests a treatment plan that combines a virus designed to attack cancer with your own custom immune cells that target HER2. It aims to shrink advanced HER2-positive solid tumors (and make future options safer/more effective).
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT03875716Recruiting
De-intensified radiation after surgery for HPV throat cancer
This trial studies a lower-intensity (less aggressive) course of radiation therapy after curative surgery for HPV-related tonsil or base-of-tongue cancer. The goal is to see if patients can still be treated successfully while reducing side effects from radiation.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03997643RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation plan trial to help protect swallowing after mouth cancer
This Phase 2 study tests whether changing the “radiation volume” (how much area is treated) can better preserve swallowing after surgery for oral cavity squamous cell cancer. It may help reduce swallowing problems while still treating the cancer safely.
Miami, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT07214987RecruitingPhase 2
PDT with immunotherapy and chemo for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of an immunotherapy drug (toripalimab) and two chemotherapy drugs (cisplatin and docetaxel) as a first treatment before surgery or radiation for advanced head and neck cancers. It may help shrink tumors that can't be easily treated with standard therapy.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04099290Recruiting
Blood DNA test in newly diagnosed head and neck cancer
This study looks at “circulating tumor DNA” (tumor DNA found in blood) in people with newly diagnosed, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer. Researchers want to see how the blood DNA levels relate to the cancer and how it may guide treatment after surgery.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - 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 - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+
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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.