Clinical trials
Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials
Below are recruiting metastatic head and neck cancer clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 260 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05144698RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
RAPA-201 cell therapy for certain advanced lung and head cancers
This Phase 1/2 trial tests RAPA-201, a personalized immune cell treatment made from your own T cells, for advanced solid tumors. It may help people whose cancer has come back after standard treatment and after an anti–PD-1/PD-L1 antibody.
Hackensack, New JerseyAges 18 years+ - NCT05156060RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Gabapentin and ketamine to treat head and neck cancer pain
This early-phase study tests whether gabapentin and a ketamine nasal spray can help prevent or lessen short-term and long-term pain from locally advanced head and neck cancer. It may help by changing how the nervous system responds to pain during and after radiation and chemoradiation.
Nashville, TennesseeAges 21 years+ - NCT05231655Recruiting
Study testing fresh tumor tissue from cancer surgery or biopsy
This study collects fresh samples of tumor tissue during procedures like surgery, biopsy, or TURBT to test a cancer therapy outside the body. It may help researchers learn which treatments work better for different solid cancers.
Sheffield, South YorkshireAges 16 years+ - NCT05260671RecruitingPhase 2
Penpulimab plus cetuximab for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial studies penpulimab (an immune medicine) combined with cetuximab (an antibody drug) for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer that cannot be treated with surgery or radiation. It aims to shrink tumors and improve survival in people whose tumor shows a specific immune marker (PD-L1).
Changchun, JilinAges 18–80 - NCT05269381RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Personalized cancer vaccine with pembrolizumab for advanced tumors
This study makes a custom vaccine from your tumor’s genetic information and gives it with pembrolizumab (an immune therapy). It aims to help control advanced solid tumors by teaching your immune system to recognize cancer-specific targets.
Jacksonville, FloridaAges 16 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+ - 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+ - NCT05349227Recruiting
After-cancer digital coaching and wearable tracking outcomes study
This study tests a digital health coaching program (using phone/tablet check-ins and wearable data) to understand health and quality-of-life outcomes after cancer treatment. It may help you learn healthy habits and track progress over time.
Gainesville, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT05358548RecruitingPhase 2
Alternating treatment for advanced lung and head-neck cancers
This Phase 2 study tests an approach that alternates treatments for advanced lung cancer or recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer. It may help by improving how well the cancer responds while managing side effects differently than standard back-to-back therapy.
Elizabeth, New JerseyAges 18 years+ - NCT05406167Recruiting
Tracking quality of life during radiotherapy with a new system
This study collects information about how you feel and how treatment is delivered while you receive radiotherapy using the RefleXion Medical radiotherapy system. It may help doctors improve care and better understand what affects quality of life during treatment.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges Any age - 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+ - 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+ - NCT05542706Recruiting
Extra support for caregivers after head and neck cancer surgery
This trial tests whether adding “paramedical” support (extra practical health help) for caregivers improves care after a patient has curative surgery for certain head and neck cancers. It’s designed for patient–caregiver pairs and may help families during the stressful period around surgery and follow-up treatment.
RouenAges 18–85 - 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 - NCT05644457Recruiting
Testing early blood or tissue signals to track head and neck treatment
This study looks for early “biomarkers” (signals in blood or tissue) to see how well head and neck cancer treatments are working over time. It may help doctors adjust treatment sooner based on those early signals.
LondonAges 18 years+ - 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+ - NCT05733910Recruiting
Carbon ion radiation for adenoid cystic cancer in the head and neck
This trial tests a type of high-precision radiation (carbon ions) given to shrink head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma that cannot be fully removed with surgery. It may help control the tumor while limiting damage to nearby normal tissues.
Pavia, PaviaAges 18 years+ - NCT05811936Recruiting
SNAP support tool for head and neck cancer survivors and caregivers
This trial tests a “SNAP” support tool designed for people who have head and neck cancer and the caregiver who helps them. It aims to improve support and coping during and after cancer treatment by involving both the survivor and their main support person.
Charleston, South CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05817617Recruiting
Vitamin D use in head and neck cancer
This study looks at how taking vitamin D may affect side effects (toxicity) and outcomes in people with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer. It may help improve comfort during treatment and track whether vitamin D changes prognosis.
Barletta, BATAges 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+ - NCT05859074RecruitingPhase 1
Testing MQ710 injections alone or with pembrolizumab for advanced cancers
This early-phase study tests MQ710, a medicine given by injection into a reachable tumor, to see how well it can control advanced cancers. Some participants also receive pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy, to help the immune system fight the cancer.
Basking Ridge, New JerseyAges 18 years+ - NCT05874492Recruiting
Spa therapy for radiation-related skin fibrosis after cancer
This trial tests whether a spa therapy program can improve “fibrosis,” or stiffened/scarred tissue and related skin problems, after radiotherapy for breast cancer or upper head/neck cancers. It aims to see if treatment can improve quality of life for people who still have moderate-to-worse symptoms months after radiation.
BordeauxAges 18 years+ - NCT05910827RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of a HER3 antibody with cetuximab and possibly docetaxel
This Phase 1/2 trial tests whether an antibody that targets HER3 (with cetuximab, and possibly docetaxel) can help treat advanced squamous cell cancers that have already been treated or cannot use standard options. It mainly looks at safety first, and also whether the treatment can shrink tumors.
Sydney, New South WalesAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for metastatic head and neck cancer?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 260 recruiting metastatic head and neck cancer 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 metastatic head and neck cancer 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 metastatic head and neck cancer 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
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
- Head and Neck Cancer (H&N)
- Head and Neck Cancer Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head and Neck Cancer (HNSCC)
- Head &Amp; Neck Cancer
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.