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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 2 of 6
Study of Non-invasive Acupuncture-like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Altens) to Help Alleviate Xerostomia After Radiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head and Neck
University of Rochester
NCT04805528
Postoperative Radiotherapy for Intermediate- and High-risk Patients With HNSCC Greater Than 6 Weeks After Surgery
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
NCT06607406
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Programmed Cell Death Protein 1(PD-1) Inhibition for Head and Neck Cancer Treatment De-escalation (NeoScorch HN)
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
NCT07209189
ChatBot and Activity Monitoring in Patients Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
NCT05318027
Gabapentin & Ketamine for Prevention/Treatment of Acute/Chronic Pain in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Natalie Lockney
NCT05156060
Selective Adjuvant Therapy for HPV-mediated Oropharynx SCCs Based on Residual Circulating Tumor DNA Levels (SAVAL)
University of Maryland, Baltimore
NCT06088381
Prehabilitation Protocol for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
University of Miami
NCT07318220
Microbiome in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
University of Colorado, Denver
NCT05837221
Preoperative Immunotherapy in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Alain Algazi
NCT03708224
Repurposing Riluzole for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Trial
University of California, Irvine
NCT06580002
Intraoperative Ansa Cervicalis Nerve (ACN) Stimulation
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
NCT05650710
PromotinG Lung Cancer screenIng Awareness and Implementation in Hispanics/Latinx Head and Neck canceR Survivors
University of Miami
NCT06124508
Intratumoral Delivery of Viral Replicon (saRNA) Particles Expressing IL-12 in Head and Neck Cancer
VLP Therapeutics
NCT06736379
MEM-288 Oncolytic Virus Alone and in Combination With Standard of Care Therapy in Advanced Solid Tumors
Memgen
NCT05076760
A Study of Cemiplimab With Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy in People With Head and Neck Cancer
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
NCT04722523
Tongue Proactive Strengthening Exercise Program Following Partial/Hemi Glossectomy and Reconstruction
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
NCT07110142
Pilot Study of Management of Facial Paralysis in the Oncologic Patient: Nerve Transfer Techniques to Improve Facial Function and Quality of Life
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
NCT06667427
Addressing Taste Dysfunction With Miraculin in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy
University of California, San Francisco
NCT05273307
Response-Adaptive Treatment in Untreated Locoregional HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer
University of Chicago
NCT07065630
RAPA-201 Therapy of Solid Tumors
Rapa Therapeutics
NCT05144698
Autologous CAR-T Cells Targeting CSPG4 in Relapsed/Refractory HNSCC
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
NCT06096038
Phase I Study of Preconditioning Radiation Therapy With IL-15 Transduced TGFBR2 KO CAR.TROP2-engineered Cord Blood-derived NK Cells in Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer (RADIANCE-NK)
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
NCT07101432
Dosing Study of Radiation Combined With Tislelizumab and Pamiparib in Patients With Previously Treated Head and Neck Cancer
University of Chicago
NCT05526924
A Study of Pembrolizumab in Combination With Chemotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer
University of Chicago
NCT05420948
Supporting Treatment Resilience With Optimized Nutrition and Guided Exercise in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation
Renown Health
NCT07160296
Drug Screening Using Novel IMD in Salivary and Head and Neck Cancers
Brigham and Women's Hospital
NCT05553782
Antibiotic Treatment Effects on Intratumoral Bacteria Modulation in Surgical Patients With Oral Cancer
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
NCT06627270
NT219 Combined With Standard of Care Biologic Therapy in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
University of Colorado, Denver
NCT06919666
Preoperative Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy in Resectable, Recurrent HNSCC
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
NCT05726370
Phase II Panitumumab-IRDye800 in Head & Neck Cancer
University of Alabama at Birmingham
NCT04511078
PD-L1 t-haNK, NAI IL-15sa and Cetuximab for Recurrent, Metastatic HNSCC
Glenn J. Hanna
NCT06239220
Riluzole For Preventing Cognitive Dysfunction in Ca Pts Receiving Chemo (REFOCUS): Pilot Trial
University of California, Irvine
NCT07447050
Exercise and Nutritional Prehabilitation for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
University of California, Davis
NCT06722508
Velopharyngeal Dysfunction in Head & Neck Cancer Patients, Pilot Study
Vanessa Torrecillas
NCT07264036
Novel Hypoxia Imaging for Head and Neck Cancer: Imaging Phenotype for Personalized Treatment
University of Utah
NCT06108089
Intraoral Hypothermia Device for Preserving Taste During Radiation
Henry Ford Health System
NCT06579248
3D Specimen Maps for RT Planning
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
NCT05743569
A Study of Decreasing Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in People With Head and Neck Cancer
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
NCT05544136
Ovarian-Sparing Adaptive Radiotherapy in Young Adult Women
Washington University School of Medicine
NCT06904365
A Screening Study to Collect Samples for TAA, HLA & HLA Loss of Heterozygosity in Patients With Metastatic Solid Tumors
TScan Therapeutics
NCT05812027
A Basket Study of Customized Autologous TCR-T Cell Therapies in Patients With Locally Advanced (Unresectable) or Metastatic Solid Tumors
TScan Therapeutics
NCT05973487
RT With or Without Cetuximab in Treating Patients Who Have Undergone Surgery for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
NCT00956007
Enhancing Self Care Among Oral Cancer Survivors: The Empowered Survival Trial
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
NCT04713449
Observational Study of Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
NCT02057510
Controlled Trial Of Acupuncture To Prevent Radiation-Induced Xerostomia
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
NCT01266044
Sensor-Assisted Prevention of Dehydration in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
NCT02253238
Implementation and Effectiveness Trial of HN-STAR
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
NCT04208490
Clinical Registry of Long-Term Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
NCT05325970
A Feasibility Study to Further the Development of Lung Cancer-based Precision Medicine
University of Arkansas
NCT02597738
Supportive Oncology Care At Home RCT
Massachusetts General Hospital
NCT04544046
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.