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Head and Neck Cancer clinical trials
89 of 260 indexed Head and Neck Cancer trials are currently recruiting.
260 US clinical trials · 89 currently recruiting
Head and Neck Cancer is the subject of 260 registered US clinical trials on ClinicalTrials.gov, 89 of them currently open to new participants. 13 are in Phase 3-4 (later-stage) and 137 in Phase 1-2 (earlier-stage). The most active sponsor is M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, running 19 of these trials.
The research picture
Head and Neck Cancer has 260 registered US clinical trials, 89 of them open to new participants right now, about 34% of the total.
- 89
- recruiting participants now
- 34%
- of trials open to enrollment
- 13
- in Phase 3–4 (later-stage)
- 19
- top sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Active & Recent Trials
260 total, page 1 of 6
Sample Collection for Ongoing Research and Product Evaluation Study
Natera
NCT07318051
Tissue Sample Collection From Patients With Head and Neck Cancer and From Healthy Participants
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
NCT00898638
cfDNA Assay Prospective Observational Validation for Early Cancer Detection and Minimal Residual Disease
Adela
NCT05366881
Predicting Response to Immunotherapy From Analysis of Live Tumor Biopsies
Elephas
NCT07327489
Prospective Evaluation of Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy for Previously Irradiated Tumors
The New York Proton Center
NCT05313191
Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosing Osteoradionecrosis in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer That Is Primary, Has Come Back, or Has Spread to Other Places in the Body
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
NCT03145077
Immunobiology Blood and Tissue Collection of Upper Aerodigestive Malignancies
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
NCT05995821
The PhOCus Trial: Implementation of Pharmacogenomic Testing in Oncology Care
University of Chicago
NCT04541381
A Study of HER3-DXd in Subjects With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
Daiichi Sankyo
NCT06172478
Biomarkers in Patients With Respiratory Tract Dysplasia or Lung Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, or Aerodigestive Tract Cancer and in Normal Volunteers
University of Colorado, Denver
NCT00900419
Multi-Site Trial of Navigation vs Treatment as Usual to Improve Initiation of Timely Adjuvant Therapy
Medical University of South Carolina
NCT05793151
Identification and Characterization of Novel Proteins and Genes in Head and Neck Cancer
Stanford University
NCT00230308
A Study Evaluating the Integrative Medicine at Home (IM@HOME) Program in People With Cancer
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
NCT05053230
The SNAP Tool for Head and Neck Cancer Survivor-Caregiver Dyads
Medical University of South Carolina
NCT05811936
Cognitive Outcomes After Brain Substructure-informed Radiation Planning in Pediatric Patients
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
NCT05658731
Improving Care for Rural Patients With Solid Tumors
University of Colorado, Denver
NCT04916990
A Study to Learn About the Study Medicine Called PF-08046876 in People With Advanced Solid Tumors
Pfizer
NCT07090499
Comparing Two Ways to Manage Head and Neck Lymphedema
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
NCT05182229
Perioperative Nutritional Optimization in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
University of Illinois at Chicago
NCT04449445
Implementing the NYU Electronic Patient Visit Assessment (ePVA) for Head and Neck Cancer In Rural and Urban Populations
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
NCT06030011
Locally AblatiVe TherApy in OLigO-pRogressive SOlid TUmorS (VALOROUS)
University of California, Davis
NCT06103669
Atorvastatin to Reduce Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss Among Individuals With Head and Neck Cancer
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
NCT04915183
New MRI Biomarkers in Head and Neck Cancers
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
NCT03483337
Identification of Secreted Markers for Tumor Hypoxia in Patients With Head and Neck or Lung Cancers
Stanford University
NCT00568490
Building a Renewed ImaGe After Head & Neck Cancer Treatment (BRIGHT) Multi-Site RCT
Medical University of South Carolina
NCT05442957
A First in Human Study of ALX2004 With Advanced or Metastatic Selected Solid Tumors
ALX Oncology
NCT07085091
ATATcH Alternating Treatment Plans for Advanced Cancer
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
NCT05358548
NLit and Outcomes in HNC Survivor-Caregiver Dyads
University of Kansas Medical Center
NCT07021885
A Study of [225Ac]Ac-AKY-1189 in Patients With Solid Tumors
Aktis Oncology
NCT07020117
Photobiomodulation in Head and Neck Cancer-Related Chronic Lymphedema
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
NCT06837480
A Motion Exergaming Approach for Symptom Management: HNC
University of Alabama at Birmingham
NCT04632654
Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of Oral Cancers in Vivo: a Preliminary Trial Comparing Intra-oral Imaging With Pathology
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
NCT02507141
Fatigue and Molecular Mechanisms in Cancer Patients Receiving CCRT
University of California, San Francisco
NCT06633224
A Phase 2a, Single-dose, Open-label Study to Evaluate Diagnostic Performance and Safety of Pegsitacianine, an Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging Agent for the Detection of Cancer, in Patients With Unknown Primary Head and Neck Cancer (ILLUMINATE STUDY)
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
NCT05576974
Dose Escalation and Dose Expansion Study of MDX2001 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
ModeX Therapeutics, An OPKO Health Company
NCT06239194
Lead-212 PSV359 Therapy for Patients With Solid Tumors
Perspective Therapeutics
NCT06710756
Study of De_Intensified Postoperative Radiation Therapy for HPV Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
NCT03875716
COPD Care Pathway Among Patients With Cancer
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
NCT05984680
Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) for Early Treatment Response Assessment of Solid Tumors
Washington University School of Medicine
NCT04354064
Evaluation of Radiobiological Effects in Skin Toxicities Head and Neck Cancer Patients With PBS Proton Therapy
Covenant Health Cancer Center
NCT06183268
DESTINY-PANTUMOUR04
AstraZeneca
NCT07124000
TheraT® Vectors (Vaccines) Combined With Chemotherapy to Treat HPV16 Head and Neck Cancers
University of Chicago
NCT05108870
Sparing Parotid Ducts Via MRI Sialography for Reduced Patient-Reported Xerostomia
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
NCT07278557
Axoguard HA Plus Nerve Protector to Reduce Post-operative Neck and Shoulder Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Neck Dissection
Matthew Spector
NCT07283861
Preservation of Swallowing in Respected Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Examining Radiation Volume Effects (PRESERVE): A Randomized Trial
London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's
NCT03997643
Early Feeding After Oral Cavity Reconstruction
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
NCT04787939
Training Swallowing Initiation During Expiration
Northwestern University
NCT05278039
Jump: MR Simulation For Radiation Therapy Master Protocol
Brigham and Women's Hospital
NCT04545957
Invert-Prospective Phase II Randomized Trial of Involved Nodal Versus Elective Neck RadioTherapy
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
NCT06477692
Apixaban or Enoxaparin After Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
Kiranya Arnold
NCT07189897
Phase Distribution
| Phase | Trial count |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 63 |
| Phase 2 | 74 |
| Phase 3 | 11 |
| Phase 4 | 2 |
Top Sponsors
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, National Library of Medicine. Data is informational only.
Reading the Head and Neck Cancer Trial Landscape
260 indexed Head and Neck Cancer studies · 89 recruiting (34%).
Phase mix: 13 late (III/IV) vs 137 early (I/II).
Top sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (19 trials), 9 others listed. 50 shown below, recruiting first.
How to read this condition's trial landscape
That ratio is a useful proxy for activity level: a high share of recruiting studies often signals that research interest is current and that new enrollment opportunities are appearing, while a low share typically means the field is dominated by completed or follow-up work where most participant spots have already been filled. These counts reflect the public registry only and include studies at every stage of design, so they should be read as an index of research attention rather than as a measure of treatment availability.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies focus on early safety signals, dosing, and preliminary effect, while Phase 3 studies are typically the larger efficacy and safety trials submitted toward regulatory review, and Phase 4 studies follow approved interventions in real-world use. A condition weighted toward later phases often reflects a mature research pipeline with several interventions already close to or past approval, whereas a heavier early-phase tilt suggests the field is still exploring new mechanisms and candidate approaches.
All figures are derived from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset maintained by the National Library of Medicine and are reproduced here for reference. Inclusion of a trial, sponsor, or intervention on this page is neither an endorsement nor a recommendation, eligibility, protocol changes, and site-level status can shift frequently, so always verify current details on ClinicalTrials.gov and consult a qualified healthcare provider before acting on anything you see here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many clinical trials are there for Head and Neck Cancer?
PlainTrial tracks 260 US clinical trials for Head and Neck Cancer, of which 89 are currently recruiting participants. Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
How do I find a recruiting trial for Head and Neck Cancer?
Use the trial list above filtered by "Recruiting" status, or visit our trial finder at /recruiting to search by condition and state. Always discuss trial participation with your healthcare provider before enrolling.
Is this data current?
Data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov and reflects our most recent data pull. Trial status may have changed since then. Always verify current information at ClinicalTrials.gov before making decisions about participation.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (National Library of Medicine). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH/NLM) ClinicalTrials.gov AACT registry · 2026 Trial counts and statuses sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Sponsor counts include both industry and federal/academic sponsors.
Every figure on PlainTrial is rendered directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov registry, no number is typed in by an editor. This page aggregates every registered trial for this condition, live from the dataset. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.