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
- 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+ - 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 - NCT05192655Recruiting
AI PET imaging to guide treatment for head and neck cancer
This study uses an AI computer method to analyze FDG PET scan images to help tailor (individualize) treatment for people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. It aims to improve how doctors plan curative treatment based on your scan.
BerlinAges 18 years+ - NCT05229614RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy plus carbon ion radiation for stable solid tumors
This trial studies whether adding carbon ion radiation to ongoing immunotherapy can help people whose cancer is currently stable. It targets solid cancers where scans show the disease is not growing quickly, aiming to improve control without causing unsafe side effects.
DarmstadtAges 18 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+ - NCT05272696RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab plus chemo before treatment for advanced head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 study tests pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy medicine) together with induction chemotherapy before the main cancer treatment for stage III/IVA head and neck squamous cell cancer. It aims to improve how well the tumor responds and how long people can stay controlled.
Guangzhou, GuangdongAges 18–70 - NCT05280314RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy before and after surgery for stage III melanoma or throat cancer
This trial tests two immunotherapy medicines given before surgery and again after surgery to help control the cancer and improve outcomes. It studies people with resectable (operable) stage III melanoma or certain stage III/IVA throat cancers.
New Haven, ConnecticutAges 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+ - NCT05286619RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab with chemotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer
This trial studies whether pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (platinum and gemcitabine) can control recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that can’t be cured with local treatments. It may help shrink tumors and slow disease growth in people who haven’t had cancer medicines for this stage before.
Kuala LumpurAges 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+ - 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+ - NCT05329532RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Modi-1 cancer vaccine for several hard-to-treat cancers
This Phase 1/2 study tests a cancer vaccine called Modi-1 Moditope in people with advanced triple-negative breast cancer, head and neck cancer, ovarian/high-grade serous cancer, or kidney cancer. It aims to help the immune system better recognize and attack the cancer.
Brighton, DefaultAges 18 years+ - NCT05333523RecruitingPhase 3
Personalized neck radiation using a lymph node sentinel biopsy
This Phase 3 trial tests whether guiding neck radiation by checking the “sentinel” lymph node can target treatment more precisely in certain larynx, hypopharynx, or oropharynx cancers. It aims to improve control while potentially reducing unnecessary radiation to areas that don’t need it.
AmsterdamAges 18 years+ - NCT05343325RecruitingPhase 2
Neoadjuvant low-dose radiation with chemo-immunotherapy for head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 study tests whether giving low-dose radiation before surgery—along with chemotherapy and an immunotherapy drug—can work better and be safe for treating locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer. It may help shrink tumors before surgery and reduce the chance of the cancer coming back.
Zhuhai, GuangdongAges 18–70 - 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+ - NCT05437380Recruiting
Ultrasound with microbubbles to find and biopsy neck lymph nodes
This trial tests whether a special ultrasound test using “microbubbles” can help doctors find lymph nodes that may contain cancer in people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. If the test finds suspicious nodes, it may guide where to do a biopsy during planned neck surgery.
Guangzhou, GuangdongAges 18–70 - NCT05446467RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial studies whether pembrolizumab, given before surgery, can improve outcomes for certain people with stage III–IVA head and neck squamous cell cancer. It’s typically added alongside low-dose PFAS as part of treatment leading up to standard surgery and afterward medicines/radiation.
Qingdao, ShandongAges 18–85 - NCT05473156RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of AP203 for advanced solid tumors that grew despite treatment
This early-phase study tests AP203 (an investigational treatment) to see if it is safe and to look for signs it can shrink or control certain advanced cancers. The study includes a dose-finding part for many solid tumors, and a second part focused on specific lung and head/neck cancers that previously received PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.
TaipeiAges 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+ - 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+ - NCT05553782RecruitingEarly Phase 1
IMD device study for certain head and neck cancers
This early-phase study tests a new small device (placed through the skin) plus standard surgery to study head and neck cancers. It may help researchers understand how the device works and gather safety information for people who need definitive surgery for a measurable tumor.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05576974RecruitingPhase 2
Test a dye used during surgery to find head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether a single dose of an imaging dye (given during surgery) can help doctors find the unknown origin of head and neck cancer and check safety. It may help guide surgery and biopsies when the primary cancer location hasn’t been identified.
Dallas, TexasAges 18–99 - NCT05582265RecruitingPhase 3
Study immune drug plus chemo before surgery versus surgery first
This Phase 3 trial compares two treatment plans for stage III/IVA head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). One plan uses an immune drug with chemotherapy before surgery; the other goes straight to surgery first, to see which approach works better.
Guanzhou, GuangdongAges 18–80 - NCT05611515Recruiting
New treatment plan for early supraglottic throat cancer
This trial tests a treatment approach for early-stage supraglottic (upper voice box) squamous cell carcinoma. It may help improve outcomes while also tracking quality of life during and after treatment.
Yvoir, NamurAges 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.