Clinical trials · California
Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 53 recruiting metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma studies with a site in California — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2, Phase 2/Phase 3 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT05985655RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of GTAEXS617 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called GTAEXS617 for adults with certain advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 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.
Beverly Hills, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07062354Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Study of amivantamab plus chemo for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a new drug (amivantamab) combined with two chemotherapy drugs (carboplatin and paclitaxel) for people with head and neck cancer that has spread or come back after treatment and cannot be removed by surgery. This study aims to see if this combination can help shrink tumors.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06769698RecruitingPhase 2
Testing fianlimab with cemiplimab for head and neck cancer
This study compares a new combination of two drugs (fianlimab and cemiplimab) against cemiplimab alone for people with head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. It aims to see if the combination works better.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07227168RecruitingPhase 1
Study of STRO-004 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called STRO-004 for people with advanced solid tumors (cancers that have spread or come back). It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective for those who have already tried other treatments.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05085496RecruitingPhase 1
Radiation plus atezolizumab for advanced skin cancer
This Phase 1 trial studies adding atezolizumab (an immune therapy) to radiation for people with hard-to-remove or borderline-resectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The goal is to see whether this combination can better control the cancer and whether the treatment is safe.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06990737RecruitingPhase 2
Sentinel node biopsy for high-risk skin cancer of the head and neck
This trial is testing whether a procedure called sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can help manage high-risk skin cancer on the head and neck that has not spread to lymph nodes. It is for people whose skin cancer is considered high-risk due to features like size, depth, or location, and who are able to have surgery.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06129864RecruitingPhase 3
Study of Volrustomig for advanced head and neck cancer after chemoradiation
This trial tests a new drug called volrustomig (MEDI5752) for people with advanced head and neck cancer that was not removed by surgery and has been treated with chemoradiation. The goal is to see if the drug can help prevent the cancer from coming back.
Fountain Valley, CaliforniaAges 18–130 - 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.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06465069RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a new drug for advanced bladder and other solid tumors
This study tests a new drug (LY4052031) for people with several types of advanced solid tumors, especially bladder cancer. It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective when given alone or after other treatments have stopped working.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06589804RecruitingPhase 3
Testing cetuximab plus pembrolizumab for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding cetuximab to the standard drug pembrolizumab works better for head and neck cancer that has spread or come back after treatment. It is for people whose cancer did not respond to platinum chemotherapy and whose tumors have a certain immune marker (PD-L1).
Marysville, 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+ - 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+ - NCT07195734RecruitingPhase 2
Adding chemo or immunotherapy before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether giving chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before surgery can improve outcomes for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has come back or not gone away after prior treatment.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07602842RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing IDP-001 for advanced solid tumors
This early-stage trial tests a new drug called IDP-001 in people with advanced cancers that have spread or cannot be surgically removed. The study aims to find the right dose and see how well the drug works against various solid tumors.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05208762RecruitingPhase 1
PD-L1 antibody drug study for advanced lung and head/neck cancers
This Phase 1 trial tests a new experimental drug (PF-08046054/SGN-PDL1V) in people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatment or can’t use it. It is designed to see how the drug works and how safe it is, with a focus on tumors that have PD-L1 seen on prior lab testing.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06788990RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Study of ficerafusp alfa with pembrolizumab for advanced head and neck cancer
This study tests a new drug called ficerafusp alfa (BCA101) combined with the immunotherapy pembrolizumab for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has not been treated before. The goal is to see if adding ficerafusp alfa helps shrink tumors better than pembrolizumab alone.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06496178RecruitingPhase 3
Petosemtamab for advanced head and neck cancer after prior treatment
This trial tests a new drug called petosemtamab for people with head and neck cancer that has gotten worse after immunotherapy and platinum chemotherapy. The goal is to see if it works better than the standard single-drug options available.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 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 - 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.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04333537RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Sentinel node biopsy versus standard neck surgery for early mouth cancer
This trial compares two ways of checking whether early oral cavity squamous cell cancer has spread to neck lymph nodes. It tests whether sentinel lymph node biopsy can find spread as well as standard neck dissection, while potentially reducing more extensive surgery for some people.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 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+ - NCT04534205RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Testing BNT113 plus pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone
This trial studies whether adding BNT113 to pembrolizumab works better and is safe for people with HPV16-positive head and neck cancer that can’t be cured with local treatments. It also compares outcomes to pembrolizumab alone, specifically for tumors that show PD-L1 in testing.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04895709RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing a new cancer drug for advanced solid tumors
This early-phase trial tests how well a new drug (BMS-986340) works alone and combined with other treatments in people with advanced solid tumors that have progressed despite standard care. It also studies tumor samples to look for biomarkers that may predict who benefits.
Clovis, CaliforniaAges 18 years+
Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma studies listed above.
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center · 5 studies
- USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 5 studies
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center · 4 studies
- University of California, Irvine Medical Center / UC Irvine Health · 3 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 3 studies
- California Research Institute · 2 studies
- Providence Medical Foundation · 2 studies
- Stanford Cancer Institute · 2 studies
What taking part in a metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma study involves
A screening visit first
Before anything else, the study team checks whether you fit — usually a visit with some tests. You can stop at any point, and screening is typically free.
Care at a nearby site
Study visits happen at a clinic or hospital taking part. Many studies cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits, and some reimburse travel.
You stay in control
Taking part is voluntary and you can leave a study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular care.
The team decides eligibility
Our fit check is a helpful first read, not a decision. The study team makes the final call after reviewing your health history.
Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 53 recruiting metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma studies with a site in California, each rewritten in plain language so you can see what it's testing and who it's for.
- How do I find out if I qualify for a metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma study in California?
- Each study lists its eligibility rules — age, diagnosis, prior treatments. On every trial page we explain these in plain language and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Do I have to live in California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, but eligibility is about your health, not your address — some people travel to take part, and a few studies reimburse travel. The study team can tell you what's required.
- Does it cost anything to join a metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what's covered before you decide.
Not the right time?
New metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma studies open in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
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.