Clinical trials
Oropharyngeal Cancer clinical trials
Below are recruiting oropharyngeal cancer clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 78 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05539638Recruiting
Testing blood DNA for head and neck squamous cancer
This study looks at how tumor DNA found in a blood sample (a “DNA signal”) relates to head and neck cancer in the oropharynx. It may help doctors understand disease status and improve how they monitor treatment, for both HPV-positive and HPV-negative cancers.
Dundee, DD2 1SGAges 18 years+ - NCT06532279RecruitingPhase 2
Testing BMX-001 with chemoradiation for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding BMX-001 (a drug that may protect healthy tissues) to standard chemoradiation can reduce side effects and improve outcomes for people with head and neck cancer. It's a randomized study, so you would have a 50/50 chance of getting BMX-001 or a placebo.
Gilbert, ArizonaAges 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+ - NCT06254911RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy before surgery for HPV-related throat cancer
This trial tests whether giving the drug atezolizumab before surgery can help shrink HPV-related throat cancer and improve outcomes. Atezolizumab helps your immune system fight cancer cells.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAges 18 years+ - NCT06223568RecruitingPhase 2
Chemotherapy with or without vaccine for HPV-related throat cancer
This trial compares standard chemotherapy alone versus chemotherapy combined with an investigational vaccine (PRGN-2009) before surgery for newly diagnosed HPV-positive oropharyngeal (throat) cancer. The goal is to see if adding the vaccine improves outcomes.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–120 - NCT07667400RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Docetaxel plus SX-682 for advanced head and neck or prostate cancer
This trial studies a combination of the chemotherapy drug docetaxel and an investigational drug called SX-682 for people with certain advanced head and neck cancers or prostate cancer. The goal is to see if the combination is safe and effective.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–120 - 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).
Little Rock, ArkansasAges 18 years+ - NCT06307327Recruiting
Comparing new and old ways to classify mouth sores from radiation
This study compares a new way of classifying radiation-induced mouth sores (mucositis) with the traditional method. It aims to better understand and manage these painful sores in people receiving radiation for head and neck cancer.
Guangzhou, GuangdongAges 18 years+ - NCT06980038RecruitingPhase 2
Testing two immunotherapy drugs before surgery for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding a second immunotherapy drug (CDX-1140) to the standard immunotherapy cemiplimab before surgery is better than cemiplimab alone for people with stage III-IV head and neck cancer that can be removed with surgery.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03010150Recruiting
Blood tests and swallowing exercise check-ins for head and neck cancer
This study looks at whether giving swallowing exercises and checking in with questionnaires can help people with metastatic (spreading to neck lymph nodes) head and neck cancers do the exercises correctly. It also uses blood tests to better understand adherence and progress over time.
Houston, TexasAges 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+ - NCT06088381RecruitingPhase 2
HPV-related throat cancer treatment based on tumor DNA levels
This trial tests if monitoring cancer DNA left in your blood after surgery can help decide if you need additional treatment. It is for people with HPV-positive oropharynx (throat) cancer who have a certain amount of cancer DNA detected before surgery.
Baltimore, MarylandAges 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+ - NCT06636734RecruitingPhase 2
Lovastatin plus pembrolizumab for advanced head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding lovastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug) to pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) works better than pembrolizumab alone for head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. It's for people who haven't had immunotherapy before and aren't already on a statin.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAges 18 years+ - NCT06563362RecruitingPhase 2
Personalized radiation for oropharyngeal cancer
This trial tests a personalized approach to radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancer. The goal is to safely reduce the amount of radiation to healthy lymph nodes, which may lower side effects while still effectively treating the cancer.
Zurich, Canton of ZurichAges 18 years+ - NCT02734537RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation with or without cisplatin after head and neck surgery
This trial studies whether adding cisplatin (a chemotherapy medicine) to radiation therapy helps people with stage III–IVA squamous cell cancer of the head and neck after they’ve had surgery. It’s meant to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18 years+ - NCT06662058Recruiting
Remote hearing test for head and neck cancer patients on cisplatin or radiation
This study tests a remote hearing test to monitor hearing changes in patients with head and neck cancer getting cisplatin chemotherapy and/or radiation. The goal is to catch hearing loss early so treatment can be adjusted.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAges 18 years+ - NCT07063212RecruitingPhase 2
Sacituzumab govitecan plus cetuximab for head and neck cancer
This trial tests a combination of two drugs—sacituzumab govitecan and cetuximab—for people with advanced head and neck cancer that has gotten worse after immunotherapy. The goal is to see if this new treatment can shrink or slow the cancer.
Basking Ridge, New JerseyAges 18 years+ - NCT05307939RecruitingPhase 2
Using tumor DNA tests to time treatment for HPV throat cancer
This study checks a blood test that looks for HPV tumor DNA to help doctors decide when to start routine treatment after surgery. It may help some people avoid starting treatment too early or too late based on how the test changes after the operation.
Miami, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT07857655RecruitingPhase 4
Intraoperative methadone for pain after head and neck cancer surgery
This trial tests whether giving methadone during your head and neck cancer surgery helps control pain right after the operation. Methadone is a long-acting painkiller that might reduce pain for up to a day or more, potentially improving your recovery experience.
Portland, OregonAges 18–89 - NCT07058805RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation therapy after surgery for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether giving radiation therapy in a specific way (compartmentalized) after surgery for head and neck cancer is safe and effective. It is for people with certain types of head and neck cancer that have been removed, and aims to improve outcomes while managing side effects.
BaselAges 18 years+ - NCT05333523RecruitingPhase 3
Personalized neck radiation using a lymph node sentinel biopsy
This Phase 3 trial tests whether guiding neck radiation by checking the “sentinel” lymph node can target treatment more precisely in certain larynx, hypopharynx, or oropharynx cancers. It aims to improve control while potentially reducing unnecessary radiation to areas that don’t need it.
AmsterdamAges 18 years+ - NCT04266093Enrolling by invitation
Gene therapy follow-up for adults previously treated at NCI
This study is a follow-up check for people who were previously enrolled in certain NCI gene therapy treatment studies. It helps the research team monitor long-term effects and outcomes after treatment.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–120 - NCT07718620Recruiting
HPV-related throat cancer radiation trial
This trial tests whether radiation or chemoradiation works well for HPV-positive throat cancer. It may be an option if you have this type of cancer and are getting or have already had surgery.
Brno, Czech RepublicAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for oropharyngeal cancer?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 78 recruiting oropharyngeal 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 oropharyngeal 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 oropharyngeal 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
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.