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 257 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- 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 - 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+ - 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 - 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 - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - NCT05172245RecruitingPhase 1
Testing a new drug added to chemoradiation for head and neck cancer
This study tests whether adding a new targeted drug called ipatasertib to standard chemoradiation can improve treatment for people with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Ipatasertib may help block a protein that helps cancer grow, possibly making the standard therapy more effective.
Tampa, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT05176483RecruitingPhase 1
New drug combinations for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called zanzalintinib, which may slow or shrink various types of advanced cancer. It is given together with other cancer treatments, and the study is looking at many different cancers including kidney, prostate, bladder, lung, liver, and more.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 18 years+ - NCT05136196RecruitingPhase 2
Cabozantinib plus nivolumab for advanced melanoma or head-neck cancer
This trial tests whether combining two immunotherapy medicines—cabozantinib and nivolumab—can shrink advanced melanoma or certain head-and-neck squamous cell cancers. It is mainly for people whose cancer has grown after prior PD-1 treatment.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 18 years+ - NCT05076760RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a cancer-killing virus with standard treatments
This Phase 1 trial tests MEM-288, an oncolytic (cancer-killing) virus, either alone or combined with standard cancer medicines, in people with advanced solid tumors. It’s designed to see how the treatment works and how safe it is in different cancer types and after specific prior therapies.
Tampa, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT05047094Recruiting
DaRT radiation plus pembrolizumab for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether a targeted internal radiation treatment (DaRT) combined with pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) can shrink recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer that cannot be fully removed with surgery. It may help by making cancer more visible to the immune system while delivering localized radiation to a tumor area.
JerusalemAges 18 years+ - NCT05005403RecruitingPhase 1
Testing azirkitug for lung, head/neck, and other solid cancers
This Phase 1 study tests how a new medicine (azirkitug) behaves in the body and how safe it is, given by IV infusion alone or with other cancer drugs. It may help people with several advanced solid tumor cancers, especially after standard treatments have stopped working.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04999761RecruitingPhase 1
Study testing new drug combinations for advanced cancers
This study tests new drug combinations for people with various advanced cancers that have progressed after standard treatment, or in some cases, as a first treatment. It aims to see if these combinations are safe and effective. The study is divided into groups based on cancer type and treatment history, so not everyone will qualify for every group.
AichiAges 18 years+ - NCT04930432RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
MCLA-129 for advanced EGFR- and MET-positive lung and other cancers
This early-phase trial tests MCLA-129, an antibody that targets EGFR and MET, in people with advanced cancers that have specific lab “biomarker” results. It’s for patients whose cancer has grown after standard treatments or can’t take standard treatment, with the goal of shrinking tumors and improving symptoms.
BaodingAges 18 years+ - NCT04747054RecruitingPhase 3
Radiation plus pembrolizumab for newly diagnosed metastatic head and neck cancer
This trial studies whether adding pembrolizumab (an immune system medicine) to radiation can improve outcomes in people newly diagnosed with metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer. It may help the immune system better recognize and fight the cancer alongside radiation.
AvignonAges 18 years+ - NCT04585750RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Studying a new drug for cancers with a specific TP53 change
This trial tests a new drug (rezatapopt) for people with advanced cancers that have a specific change in the TP53 gene, called Y220C. The drug is designed to target this change and may slow or stop cancer growth. Some participants may also receive an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab (Keytruda).
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 12 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+ - 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+ - NCT04198766RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
New OX40 immunotherapy for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new immunotherapy drug (INBRX-106) alone or with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for adults with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. The goal is to see if the drug can help the immune system fight cancer.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03526835RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of MCLA-158 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new experimental drug called MCLA-158 (petosemtamab) for people with advanced solid tumors, especially head and neck cancer or colorectal cancer, that have not responded to standard treatments. The study aims to see if this drug can shrink tumors or slow their growth.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for metastatic head and neck cancer?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 257 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.