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ClinicalTrials.gov 89 recruiting now official registry

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
Phase 163Phase 274Phase 311Phase 42

Active & Recent Trials

260 total, page 3 of 6

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 296 participants

Study of INBRX-106 and INBRX-106 in Combination With Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) in Subjects With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors (Hexavalent OX40 Agonist)

Inhibrx Biosciences

NCT04198766

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 288 participants

Study BT5528-100 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors Associated With EphA2 Expression

BicycleTx Limited

NCT04180371

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING 272 participants

Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) Diffusion Weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) of Head and Neck Tumors

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

NCT00581906

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 252 participants

Radiation Therapy With or Without Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With High-Risk Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors That Have Been Removed By Surgery

Radiation Therapy Oncology Group

NCT01220583

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING NA 236 participants

Dyadic Yoga Intervention for Patient With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy and Their Family Caregivers

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT03114501

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 189 participants

Evorpacept (ALX148) in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ASPEN-03)

ALX Oncology

NCT04675294

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING 185 participants

Depression and Adherence in Head and Neck Cancer

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT00498875

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 176 participants

Study of Retinfanlimab in Combination With INCAGN02385 and INCAGN02390 as First-Line Treatment in Participants With PD-L1-Positive (CPS ≥ 1) Recurrent/Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Incyte Biosciences International Sàrl

NCT05287113

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING NA 175 participants

Cough, Expiratory Training, and Chronic Aspiration After Head and Neck Radiotherapy

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT02662907

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 172 participants

Evorpacept (ALX148) in Combination With Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ASPEN-04)

ALX Oncology

NCT04675333

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 160 participants

A Study of Tislelizumab in Combination With Investigational Agents in Participants With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BeiGene

NCT05909904

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 153 participants

Study of EOS-448 With Standard of Care and/or Investigational Therapies in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors

iTeos Belgium

NCT05060432

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING NA 138 participants

Alcohol Cessation Among Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

Northwell Health

NCT05570851

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 3 135 participants

ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) Study in Recurrent Head/Neck Cancer for Patients Who Have Failed at Least Two Lines of Therapy

Rakuten Medical

NCT03769506

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 120 participants

ADP-A2M4CD8 as Monotherapy or in Combination With Either Nivolumab or Pembrolizumab in HLA-A2+ Subjects With MAGE-A4 Positive Tumors (SURPASS)

Uswm CT

NCT04044859

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 108 participants

Study of Proton Versus Photon Beam Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

NCT02923570

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 100 participants

A Randomized, Double-Blind Phase II Study of Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo in Head and Neck Cancers at High Risk for Recurrence- the PATHWay Study

University of Chicago

NCT02841748

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING 100 participants

Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging & Blood Biomarkers for Head and Neck Cancer

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT03491176

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 98 participants

A Study of SNS-101 (Anti VISTA) Monotherapy and in Combination With Cemiplimab in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

Sensei Biotherapeutics

NCT05864144

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 96 participants

Phase II Trial of Adjuvant Cisplatin and Radiation With Pembrolizumab in Resected Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Trisha Wise-Draper

NCT02641093

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 80 participants

Cisplatin + Radiation in SCCHN and Correlation With Oxidative Stress Markers

Susanne Arnold

NCT02994069

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 74 participants

Cisplatin, Nab-Paclitaxel, and Cetuximab (CACTUX) in Patients With Incurable Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Washington University School of Medicine

NCT02270814

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 71 participants

MAGE-A4ᶜ¹º³²T for Multi-Tumor

Adaptimmune

NCT03132922

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING NA 60 participants

PaRTNer: Patient Reported Outcomes and Financial Toxicity in Head and Neck Cancer A Pilot, Survey Based Study

Duke University

NCT03506451

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 3 58 participants

Tumescence in HNC Skin Graft Reconstruction

University of California, Davis

NCT04967391

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING 54 participants

A Study of Neurocognitive Tests and Questionnaires for People With Head and Neck Cancer Who Are Undergoing Radiation Therapy

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

NCT05207098

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 52 participants

Selective Avoidance of Nodal VolumEs at Minimal Risk (GCC 20110)

University of Maryland, Baltimore

NCT04609280

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Early Phase 1 51 participants

Smoking Cessation Treatment for Head & Neck Cancer Patients

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT01098955

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 50 participants

OSI-774/Cisplatin/Taxotere in Head & Neck Squamous Cell Cancer

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT00076310

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 42 participants

Study of Xevinapant With Radiation and Chemotherapy for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

University of Chicago

NCT06110195

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING NA 40 participants

Evaluation of Improved Onboard Patient Imaging

Varian, a Siemens Healthineers Company

NCT06187103

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING NA 40 participants

A Prospective Imaging Study of the Integrated TrueBeam-HyperSight CBCT System

Varian, a Siemens Healthineers Company

NCT05975619

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 39 participants

Evaluating Safety and Biomarkers Using DK210 (EGFR) for Locally Advanced or Metastatic EGFR+ Tumors

DEKA Biosciences

NCT05704985

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 39 participants

Adjuvant Nivolumab After Salvage Resection in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Previously Treated With Definitive Therapy

Trisha Wise-Draper

NCT03355560

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 35 participants

Study of MEDI0562 Prior to Surgical Resection in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) or Melanoma

Providence Health & Services

NCT03336606

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING NA 35 participants

Evaluating a Low-Cost Therapeutic Device in Managing Head and Neck Cancer Patients With Radiation-Related Trismus

University of California, San Francisco

NCT05671861

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 35 participants

Study for Participants Continuing From Pfizer-sponsored Palbociclib (a Study Medicine) Studies

Pfizer

NCT05226871

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING NA 32 participants

Using an End-of-life Conversation Game to Engage Patients With Cancer in Advance Care Planning: Phase 2

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

NCT06384417

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 30 participants

Window Study of Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

NCT02919683

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 30 participants

"QUAD SHOT" Radiotherapy With Pembrolizumab in Patients With Recurrent Head & Neck Cancer

University of Oklahoma

NCT04373642

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 28 participants

Neoadjuvant Immunoradiotherapy in Head & Neck Cancer (NIRT 2-HNC)

Providence Health & Services

NCT04938609

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 25 participants

Phase 2 Trial of Adaptive Radiotherapy Boost for HNSCC

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

NCT06137274

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 24 participants

Safety and Efficacy of APG-157 in Head and Neck Cancer

Aveta Biomics

NCT05312710

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 23 participants

Study Transplanting Bone Marrow Cells Into Salivary Glands to Treat Dry Mouth Caused by Radiation Therapy

University of Wisconsin, Madison

NCT05820711

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 23 participants

Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Niraparib and Dostarlimab (TSR-042) in Recurrent/Metastatic HNSCC

Trisha Wise-Draper

NCT04313504

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 22 participants

Neoadjuvant Immunoradiotherapy in Head & Neck Cancer

Providence Health & Services

NCT03247712

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 2 18 participants

Targeting PD-1 Therapy Resistance With Focused High or High and Low Dose Radiation in SCCHN

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

NCT03085719

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 18 participants

Non-randomized, Open-label Study of Intralesional Nivolumab for High Risk Oral Premalignant Lesions

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

NCT05327270

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Early Phase 1 15 participants

Pilot Study of Imatinib Cetuximab Combo for H & N Cancer

University of Wisconsin, Madison

NCT05816785

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING Phase 1 14 participants

Testing the Safety of Giving a Standard Dose of Radiation Over a Shorter Period of Time for Patients Who Had Surgery for Intermediate-Risk Head and Neck Cancer

American College of Radiology

NCT05540899

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Phase Distribution

PhaseTrial count
Phase 1 63
Phase 2 74
Phase 3 11
Phase 4 2

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.

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.

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.

Verify with NIH →

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.