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 686 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05726370RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab plus chemo before surgery for recurrent head and neck cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests whether giving pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) plus chemotherapy before curative surgery can improve outcomes for people with resectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer. It also studies how these treatments affect the tumor and immune response using required tissue and blood samples.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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 - 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 - 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+ - NCT05544136RecruitingPhase 2
Study of lower radiation and chemo for head and neck cancer
This study tests whether giving lower doses of radiation and chemotherapy is safe and effective for people with certain head and neck cancers. It aims to reduce side effects while keeping the treatment successful.
Basking Ridge, New JerseyAges 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+ - 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+ - NCT05106608Recruiting
Mobile plus light therapy for dry mouth after head and neck cancer
This study tests whether “photobiomodulation” light therapy, guided by a phone app, can improve chronic dry mouth (xerostomia) in people who finished radiation for head and neck cancer. It may help reduce bothersome mouth dryness and support better day-to-day comfort after treatment.
GranadaAges 18 years+ - NCT04722523RecruitingPhase 1
Cemiplimab plus chemo and other immune treatment for head and neck cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests how well cemiplimab (an immune treatment) can work when combined with chemotherapy and an additional immunotherapy for certain head and neck cancers. It may help shrink the cancer and improve outcomes, while also checking safety and dosing.
Basking Ridge, New JerseyAges 18 years+ - NCT04754321RecruitingPhase 1
Test immunotherapy with salvage surgery and IORT for head and neck cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests a new plan that combines immunotherapy with surgery, plus a targeted radiation treatment called IORT. It is for people whose head and neck squamous cell cancer has come back or never fully went away and can be operated on. The goal is to shrink or control the cancer and see how safe the approach is.
Columbus, OhioAges 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+ - NCT04075305Recruiting
Study measuring radiation treatment outcomes with an MR-Linac
This study follows what happens when radiation treatment is guided using an MR-Linac (a special machine that combines MRI imaging with radiation). It may help improve how radiation therapy is planned and assessed, especially for people who can safely have MRI scans.
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaAges 18 years+ - NCT00568490Recruiting
Finding blood markers that show low oxygen in tumors
This study looks for substances in blood that may reflect how “low-oxygen” a tumor is. If you have head and neck cancer or non-small cell lung cancer, it may help researchers understand tumor oxygen levels and improve future care.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07217028RecruitingPhase 1
Safety study of a new PET tracer for head and neck cancer
This study tests a new radioactive tracer called [18F]NOTA-ABY030 to see if it's safe for people with head and neck cancer that may have spread. The tracer lights up cancer cells on a PET scan, helping doctors find tumors more clearly.
Nashville, TennesseeAges 18 years+ - NCT06997068RecruitingPhase 2
Drug combination for returning head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of three drugs—methotrexate, erlotinib, and celecoxib—for people whose head and neck cancer has come back or spread. It is designed for patients in the rural Midwest who have already had or chosen not to have standard first treatment.
Rochester, MinnesotaAges 18 years+ - NCT06868433RecruitingPhase 1
TMV vaccine alone or with pembrolizumab for advanced HNSCC
This trial tests a vaccine made from your own tumor to help your immune system fight head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. It is given alone or with an immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab) to see if it can shrink tumors or slow progression.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAges 18 years+ - NCT06672471Enrolling by invitation
Antibiotics after head and neck surgery study
This trial tests whether giving antibiotics after certain head and neck surgeries helps prevent infections. It is for people having planned (non-emergency) surgery that involves entering a normally clean area that may have some germs, like the mouth or throat.
Lahore, Punjab ProvinceAges 18 years+ - NCT05838729RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
RiMO-301 plus radiation with PD-1 therapy for head-neck cancer
This trial studies RiMO-301 injection combined with palliative radiation and a PD-1 immune therapy (pembrolizumab or nivolumab) for head and neck cancer that cannot be fully removed. It aims to see whether this approach can shrink tumors and improve outcomes safely.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05898789Recruiting
Virtual rehab program for cancer survivors
This trial tests a virtual (online) rehabilitation and exercise program for people after breast, colorectal, head and neck, or certain blood cancers. It may help improve recovery and daily functioning by supporting safe activity and targeted rehab after treatment.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT05025813RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab before surgery or radiation for high-risk skin SCC
This Phase 2 trial tests pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) given before surgery to see if it can help control high-risk invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The goal is to improve outcomes by treating cancer earlier and then following with standard surgery and radiation if needed.
Camperdown, New South WalesAges 18 years+ - NCT05595590RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation plus immunotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer
This study tests whether adding an immunotherapy medicine called tislelizumab to radiation can better control recurrent (coming back) head and neck squamous cell cancer. It is aimed at people whose cancer can’t be fully removed by surgery or can’t be safely removed.
Chengdu, SichuanAges 18–75 - NCT05382585Recruiting
Study of new treatment targets for head and neck cancers
This study looks at new ways to target head and neck cancers. It may help researchers learn which treatment ideas could work better for people with these cancers.
Varanasi, Uttar PradeshAges 18–100 - NCT07672236RecruitingPhase 3
Comparing two mouth pain treatments for head and neck cancer patients
This trial tests a new mouthwash (BupiZenge) against a standard numbing medicine (lidocaine) for pain caused by mouth sores from radiation therapy. It may help you if you are about to start radiation for certain head and neck cancers.
CopenhagenAges 18–80
Hear when a new Head and Neck 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?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 686 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.