Clinical trials
Head and Neck clinical trials
Below are recruiting head and neck clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 687 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT03238378Recruiting
Radiation boost plus warming for recurrent head and neck tumors
This trial tests a “salvage” treatment that combines targeted radiation (brachytherapy) with controlled body warming (hyperthermia) for head and neck cancer that has come back. It may help by better shrinking tumors while fitting the treatment to the tumor’s exact location.
ErlangenAges 18 years+ - NCT03702309Recruiting
Banking and testing blood samples to study cancer
This study collects blood samples to “test and store” (bank) information that may help doctors understand cancer in the future. You might be able to join if you’re an adult with confirmed cancer or a higher-than-usual risk for cancer.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18 years+ - 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+ - NCT03755739RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Checkpoint cancer drug given into or near tumors
This trial studies whether giving immunotherapy “checkpoint inhibitor” medicine directly into the tumor area (and/or the artery feeding it), along with a chemotherapy-style drug, can work better for advanced solid tumors. It aims to boost the immune system’s ability to attack cancer while still being safe for people with measurable tumors.
Guanzhou, GuangdongAges 18 years+ - NCT03787056Recruiting
Blood test marker study in many cancer types
This study measures a blood marker called progastrin (at diagnosis and during treatment) to see how well it predicts response or outcomes. It may help doctors choose or monitor treatment more precisely for several cancer types.
BronAges 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+ - NCT03916809Recruiting
Voice and swallowing therapy device during head and neck cancer treatment
This trial tests whether using a mouth-based training device (called EMST150) during planned radiation (with or without chemotherapy) can help people with head and neck cancer with swallowing and related muscle function. It may be useful if you’re starting radiation for a cancer in the mouth, throat, or voice box area.
Milwaukee, WisconsinAges 18 years+ - NCT03958240Recruiting
Study how cancers trigger the immune system
This study looks at what makes some cancers more “noticeable” to the immune system. It may help researchers design better future immunotherapy by collecting information (often including blood samples) from people with different cancers.
ToulouseAges 18 years+ - NCT04003051RecruitingPhase 2
Online program to help throat cancer patients swallow and cope
This trial tests a web-based program meant to help people with throat (head and neck) cancer follow swallowing exercises and use coping strategies during curative radiation treatment. It may help improve comfort and how well you can keep up with exercises while you’re getting treatment.
Fort Worth, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT06580002RecruitingPhase 2
Can Riluzole Help with Chemo Brain? A Pilot Study
This study tests if a medicine called riluzole (currently used for ALS) can help with 'chemo brain' – memory and thinking problems after cancer treatment. It is for people who feel their mental sharpness has declined after breast cancer therapy, certain chemotherapies, or brain radiation.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 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 - NCT04151082RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Steroid therapy for late nerve damage after throat cancer radiation
This trial tests whether high-dose steroids (prednisone or methylprednisolone) can improve symptoms of nerve damage that may occur years after radiation treatment for oropharyngeal cancer. It includes a registry for tracking similar nerve issues in head and neck cancer survivors.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT04172753Recruiting
Online MRI-guided radiation therapy on a 1.5T machine
This trial checks whether it’s practical and safe to deliver radiation treatment using real-time MRI guidance, with the process supported online. It may help patients whose doctors recommend radiation by testing a modern way to plan and deliver treatment more precisely.
Tübingen, Baden-WurttembergAges 18 years+ - 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+ - NCT04266223Recruiting
Head and neck mask monitoring during radiation to improve setup
This trial tests a surface-monitoring technology that checks a head-and-neck radiation “positioning mask” during treatment. It may help the radiation team make sure the mask and patient are aligned correctly for safer, more accurate therapy.
Blacktown, New South WalesAges 18 years+ - NCT04273061RecruitingPhase 2
Atezolizumab for tumors that look sensitive on DNA/RNA testing
This Phase 2 study tests atezolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, in people with advanced, incurable solid tumors whose tumor DNA/RNA suggests they may respond. The goal is to see if the treatment works better for patients selected by these lab results.
Vancouver, British ColumbiaAges 18 years+ - NCT04354064Recruiting
Blood DNA test to see early treatment response in solid tumors
This study looks at circulating tumor DNA, which is tiny bits of DNA found in blood, to help assess how solid tumors are responding early. It uses blood samples from healthy adults who are willing to donate.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18 years+ - NCT04389281RecruitingPhase 1
X-ray light-activated therapy for hard-to-treat skin tumors
This early-phase study tests an X-ray–activated medicine that is delivered directly into selected tumors to help control cancer that has not responded to standard treatments. If the injected area can be treated safely, it may shrink or slow the tumor and improve local control.
Washington D.C., District of ColumbiaAges 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+ - NCT04470024RecruitingPhase 1
Testing a vaccine plus immunotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer
This early-phase (Phase 1b) study tests a vaccine designed to train the immune system to fight head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, plus standard immunotherapy. It may help some people by boosting the body’s anti-cancer immune response, but it mainly focuses on safety and finding the best approach.
Portland, OregonAges 18 years+ - NCT04475640Recruiting
Genetic testing study for cancer patients in different ethnic groups
This study looks at cancer-related inherited gene changes using blood samples. It may help patients and doctors understand cancer risk and guide treatment planning, especially across different ethnic communities.
Scottsdale, ArizonaAges 18 years+ - NCT04478851Recruiting
Exercise program to help people live well with cancer
This study offers an exercise program meant to help people with cancer improve how they live day to day. It may fit you if you are getting treatment now, starting soon, or finished within the last 5 years and can safely do mild activity.
Calgary, AlbertaAges 18–100 - NCT04498767Recruiting
Radiation to treat a few metastatic spots in rare cancers
This trial studies whether stereotactic (high-precision) radiation given in a few sessions can control rare cancers that have spread to a small number of sites. It aims to help by treating all known spots while keeping side effects manageable.
AnderlechtAges 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+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for head and neck?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 687 recruiting head and neck 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 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 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
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.