Laryngeal disorder

This study compares three treatments for early-stage laryngeal cancer: laser surgery, standard radiation, and a newer MRI-guided radiation. The goal is to see which approach best cures the cancer while preserving voice and swallowing. About 105 adults with stage T1-T2 glottic can…

This phase II trial is testing whether the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) alone can work better than the usual combination of chemotherapy and radiation after surgery for head and neck cancer that has come back or is a new primary tumor. About 188 adults aged 18-79 w…

This phase II trial is testing whether adding chemotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy before standard salvage surgery can improve outcomes for patients with PD-L1 positive head and neck cancer that has come back. About 180 participants will receive either carboplatin and paclitaxel, …

This study compares standard radiation plus cisplatin against two experimental approaches: radiation with docetaxel and cetuximab, or radiation with cisplatin and the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab. About 613 patients with high-risk stage III-IV head and neck cancer will partici…

This study uses botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to treat movement disorders such as dystonia, tremor, and spasticity. Up to 2,000 participants aged 2 and older will receive tailored injections, with doctors trained in proper techniques. The goal is to manage symptoms and build…

This phase II trial is testing whether the combination of cabozantinib (a targeted therapy) and nivolumab (an immunotherapy) can shrink or stabilize advanced melanoma and head and neck cancers that have stopped responding to prior immunotherapy. Researchers are also checking if t…

This study compares two treatments after surgery for stage III-IVA head and neck cancer: radiation alone versus radiation plus the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. The goal is to see which approach better prevents the cancer from returning, especially in patients with certain TP53 ge…

This study tests whether adding cetuximab to standard immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) helps people with advanced head and neck cancer that has stopped responding to platinum chemotherapy live longer. About 158 adults with cancer that has returned or spread will receive either pembr…

This early-phase trial is testing whether a drug called camonsertib, combined with a precise type of radiation, can help control head and neck cancers that have come back or cannot be removed by surgery. About 39 adults with these cancers will receive the drug along with focused …

This study tests whether injecting steroids into the narrowed part of the windpipe after a dilation procedure can help people with idiopathic subglottic stenosis go longer between surgeries. About 226 adults with this rare condition will receive either steroid injections or a pla…

This study looks at whether using a piece of the patient's own tissue (a flap) to reinforce the closure after removing the voice box can reduce the risk of a throat leak (fistula). About 102 people whose throat cancer has returned after radiation or chemoradiation will be randoml…

This study tests whether adding an experimental drug (CDX-1140) to a standard immunotherapy (cemiplimab) before surgery can shrink advanced head and neck cancers more than the immunotherapy alone. About 44 people with stage III-IV head and neck cancer will receive either the comb…

This study tests injecting the chemotherapy drug cisplatin directly into throat cancer tumors that have come back after radiation. About 20 adults will receive the injection before planned surgery to remove the tumor. Researchers will check how many tumors shrink or disappear and…

This study tests whether adding petosemtamab to the standard immunotherapy pembrolizumab helps people with advanced head and neck cancer live longer. About 700 adults with PD-L1 positive cancer that has spread or come back will receive either the combination or pembrolizumab alon…

This study tests whether adding an experimental drug called ficerafusp alfa to the immunotherapy pembrolizumab (Keytruda) works better than pembrolizumab alone for people with PD-L1-positive head and neck cancer that has spread or returned. About 650 adults will be randomly assig…

This study tests a drug called afatinib in 25 adults with Fanconi anemia who have advanced head and neck cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. Afatinib is a pill that blocks a protein helping cancer grow. The goal is to see if it can shrink tumors and control the disease. Res…

This early-phase study tests whether adding the experimental drug ipatasertib to standard chemotherapy and radiation is safe and effective for people with advanced head and neck cancer. Ipatasertib may help stop cancer cell growth. About 46 participants will receive the combinati…

This study is testing whether taking three oral chemotherapy drugs together is safe and practical for patients with head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. The trial focuses on people living in rural Midwest areas, making it easier for them to participate from home. The…

This study compares a standard 6-week radiation course after surgery to a shorter 3-week course for people with head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if the shorter schedule works just as well at preventing cancer from coming back. About 369 participants will be randomly assig…

This phase II trial tests whether a personalized, reduced-volume radiation plan can safely lower side effects after surgery for head and neck cancer. About 50 patients will receive radiation only to high-risk areas, skipping some traditionally treated zones. The goal is to see if…

This study compares two ways of giving the chemotherapy drug 5-FU to people with head and neck cancer that has spread or come back after prior treatments. One group gets the drug over two days every two weeks, the other over four days every three weeks. The goal is to see which s…

This study tests two ideas at once: adding a drug called ATRA (Vesanoid) to standard treatment, and using a smaller radiation area that targets the tumor more precisely. It includes 460 adults with certain types of head and neck cancer that haven't spread across the midline. The …

This study looks at a surgery called selective laryngeal reinnervation for people whose vocal cords are paralyzed on both sides, making it hard to breathe. Researchers will track 15 adults aged 18 to 70 to see if the surgery improves breathing symptoms and lung function. The goal…

This study tests giving chemotherapy and immunotherapy before standard surgery for head and neck cancer. The goal is to shrink tumors enough so that surgeons can perform less extensive, function-preserving operations, reducing damage to swallowing, speech, and vision. The trial e…

This study is for people with head and neck cancer. It compares two types of radiation therapy: one that treats only the cancer and nearby lymph nodes (INRT) and one that treats a larger area (ENI). The goal is to see if the smaller treatment area works just as well and causes fe…

This early-phase trial is testing a new type of radiation called HYDRA for people with laryngeal cancer. The goal is to find the highest safe dose and see how well it controls the tumor. Eleven participants will receive different doses of radiation and complete quality-of-life su…

This study tests which chemotherapy combination works better when given with radiation for advanced head and neck cancer. About 120 adults with stage III or IV disease will receive either cisplatin or a mix of docetaxel and cetuximab. Researchers will also check if a tumor marker…

This phase 2 trial is testing whether adding the immunotherapy drug toripalimab to standard chemotherapy can help people with advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer avoid having their voice box removed. The study will enroll 87 adults whose cancer has not been treated before…

This study tests whether giving less radiation after surgery for certain head and neck cancers can reduce long-term side effects, like trouble swallowing, without allowing the cancer to come back. About 508 adults who have had surgery and need standard post-op radiation will be r…

This early-phase trial tests a personalized vaccine made from a patient's own tumor cells, given alone or with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, for people with head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. The main goals are to check safety, find the best dose, and see i…

This study tests whether combining two drugs, sacituzumab govitecan and cetuximab, can shrink or control advanced head and neck cancer that has grown after initial therapy. About 40 adults whose cancer has spread or returned will receive the combination. The goal is to see how ma…

This phase II trial tests whether adding lovastatin, a common cholesterol-lowering drug, to the immunotherapy pembrolizumab can help shrink tumors in people with head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. The study will enroll 28 adults whose tumors express PD-L1. Research…

This study tests whether a new type of radiation machine that uses MRI to guide treatment is safe and practical for people with gastric, breast, or other cancers. About 70 adults will receive radiation guided by real-time MRI, sometimes with chemotherapy. The goal is to see if th…

This study is testing a less invasive robotic surgery called TORS for people with head and neck tumors. The goal is to see if it is safe and effective, with fewer side effects and faster recovery than traditional surgery. Up to 600 participants will be enrolled, and their outcome…

This early-phase trial is testing whether adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to radiation therapy before and during surgery can help treat head and neck cancers that have persisted or come back. About 45 adults with resectable tumors will receive the combinati…

This trial tests a program called ENDURE that helps head and neck cancer patients start radiation therapy within 6 weeks after surgery. The program provides education, social support, and better coordination among doctors. Researchers will compare it to usual care in 532 adults w…

This study tests an experimental drug called VMD-928, taken as a pill, either alone or with another cancer drug (pembrolizumab). It is for adults with advanced solid tumors or lymphoma that have not responded to or are no longer controlled by available treatments. The goal is to …

This phase II trial compares a new, shorter radiation schedule (LT-SABR, given over 1-2 weeks) to standard radiation (over 5-6 weeks) for early-stage laryngeal cancer. The goal is to see if the shorter schedule causes fewer severe side effects in the first 3 months. About 67 adul…

This trial is testing two drugs, vemurafenib and cobimetinib, already approved for melanoma, in adults with other rare cancers that have a specific genetic change called BRAF V600 mutation. The goal is to see if the combination can shrink tumors or stop them from growing. About 3…

This phase 3 trial tests whether using a sentinel lymph node biopsy to guide radiation can safely reduce the amount of neck radiation in people with certain head and neck cancers. The goal is to lower long-term side effects like severe dry mouth while still controlling the cancer…

This study compares two standard treatments for early-stage larynx cancer: laser surgery and a newer, more precise radiation therapy that targets only the affected vocal cord. The main goal is to see which approach better preserves voice quality over two years. About 34 adults wi…

This study compares two surgical methods to fix a narrowed windpipe (tracheal stenosis) caused by injury or long-term breathing tube use. About 30 patients will receive either a slide tracheoplasty or a tracheal resection. The goal is to see which procedure has a higher success r…

This study tests a new care coordination system called PRONTO-HN for head and neck cancer patients. The system uses a risk model to identify patients likely to need radiation after surgery and then coordinates appointments and alerts to reduce delays. Researchers will compare 85 …

This study looks at whether a simple ultrasound at the bedside can reliably detect vocal fold motion impairment in children who are on noninvasive breathing support in the ICU. About 50 children will get two ultrasounds of their vocal folds—one while on the breathing machine and …

This study is developing an artificial intelligence system that can recognize different parts of the throat and nasal passages and detect abnormal growths or lesions. Researchers will train the AI using thousands of endoscopy images and then test its accuracy against doctors with…

This study is testing a new device that measures how sensitive the throat is to help diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Researchers will compare the results of this test with standard sleep studies in 117 adults. The goal is to see if this simpler, quicker test can accuratel…

This study is testing a computer program called DystoniaNet that uses artificial intelligence to help doctors diagnose isolated dystonia, a movement disorder. The trial will enroll 1000 people with dystonia or other conditions that look like it, such as Parkinson's disease or ess…

This study tests whether a gel containing diclofenac, a common anti-inflammatory drug, can prevent severe skin irritation caused by radiation therapy. About 156 adults with head/neck or breast cancer will apply the gel or a placebo to the treated skin three times daily during the…

This study is testing whether taking high-dose fish oil supplements during pregnancy can prevent asthma and persistent wheezing in early childhood. The trial will enroll 2000 pregnant Danish women with low blood levels of omega-3s. Participants take fish oil or placebo capsules d…

This study is testing whether taking a higher dose of vitamin D during pregnancy can prevent asthma and persistent wheezing in children up to age 3. Researchers will give 2000 pregnant women either vitamin D or a placebo daily from week 22-26 of pregnancy until one week after del…

This phase II trial tests whether adding BMX-001 to standard symptom management can reduce severe mouth sores in head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiation. About 98 participants will receive either BMX-001 or a placebo alongside usual care. The goal is to see if BMX-…

This study tests whether injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the vocal cords during surgery helps people recover their voice better than surgery alone. Sixty-four adults with benign vocal cord growths (like polyps or nodules) will be split into two groups: one gets PRP plus…

This study compares two voice training techniques in 20 healthy voice professionals (like singers and teachers). One method uses a step-by-step exercise routine, and the other adds a device that helps inflate the lungs before vocalizing. The goal is to see which approach improves…

This study is testing whether speech amplification devices can help people with Parkinson's disease and related conditions who have a soft, weak voice (hypophonia). Researchers will work with 100 participants to measure how well these devices improve speech loudness, clarity, and…

This study tests whether mild electrical stimulation of the ear, combined with physical and speech therapy, can improve symptoms like voice problems, swallowing, and balance in people with Parkinson's disease. 46 participants will receive either active or sham stimulation during …

This study tests whether a personalized 12-week speech, swallowing, and voice rehabilitation program can help preserve swallowing function in head and neck cancer patients after minimally invasive robotic surgery. About 53 participants will be enrolled, including those having sur…

This study tests whether virtual reality (VR) games can make speech therapy more fun and improve how often people practice. Researchers will enroll 30 adults with voice disorders at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. Participants will use VR speech therapy games at home and in…

This study tests whether a daily physical activity routine, started before and continued during radiotherapy, can improve physical function and quality of life for head and neck cancer patients. 80 patients with tumors of the oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx will be randomly as…

This study tests a new way to give radiation for head and neck cancer. Instead of a fixed plan, the radiation is adjusted daily to match changes in the patient's body. The goal is to lower side effects like trouble swallowing and dry mouth. About 40 adults with throat or voice-bo…

This study tests whether workshops and exchange groups can improve quality of life for people who have had their larynx removed due to cancer. Researchers will compare quality-of-life scores between 50 participants who join the program and a control group. The goal is to see if g…

This study tests whether a 20-minute session of passive music therapy, delivered through an app just before entering the operating room, can lower anxiety and pain in adults undergoing ear, nose, or throat surgery. Five hundred participants will be randomly assigned to receive mu…

This study tests whether specially adapted beauty sessions (onco-esthetics) can help people with head and neck cancer feel better about their changed appearance after treatment. Fifty-five patients will receive three sessions, and researchers will measure how their self-image cha…

Laryngeal dystonia causes the vocal folds to spasm, leading to a strained or breathy voice. This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can calm the overactive brain signals that cause these spasms. Twenty-five adults with laryngeal dystonia wi…

This early study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS can improve voice quality in people with laryngeal dystonia (spasmodic dysphonia). Ten participants will receive active, sham, and no stimulation to compare effects. The goal is to see if target…

This study tests whether virtual reality (VR) simulations can help college students improve their public speaking skills and reduce anxiety. 80 students will be randomly assigned to either a VR training group or a wait-list control group. Researchers will measure speech rate, pau…

This study compares standard radiation therapy to a newer method called dose painting for people with head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if dose painting causes fewer severe mouth ulcers one year after treatment. About 100 participants will be randomly assigned to receive e…

This study tests whether a numbing injection (nerve block) given during vocal cord surgery can reduce pain, coughing, and improve voice recovery afterward. About 28 adults with benign vocal cord growths will receive either the numbing medicine or a saltwater placebo. Researchers …

This study tests a cooling device placed inside the mouth during radiation therapy for larynx cancer. The goal is to see if cooling can protect taste buds from radiation damage and prevent loss of taste. About 15 adults with advanced larynx cancer will try the device and report t…

This study tests a simple technique called tongue-out radiation therapy (TORT) for people with head and neck cancer. By sticking out the tongue during treatment, the radiation dose to the mouth and throat may be lowered, potentially reducing painful side effects like trouble swal…

This study tests a brain-computer interface (BCI) that gives real-time feedback to help people with laryngeal dystonia control voice spasms. About 40 adults with a specific type of voice disorder will try this adaptive neurofeedback therapy. The goal is to reduce the number of vo…

This study looks at whether the method of delivering voice therapy affects how well people with voice problems (like muscle tension dysphonia or vocal cord lesions) can communicate over a year. About 120 adults who do not smoke and have not had voice therapy or surgery recently w…

This study is building a huge registry of information and biological samples from adults with or at risk for many types of cancer, as well as healthy volunteers. Researchers will use this resource to study what causes cancer and how to better prevent, detect, and treat it. The re…

This study looks at how voice sounds change when people strain their vocal cords. Researchers will measure specific voice features in 100 adults, some with and some without vocal cord injury. The goal is to find early warning signs that could help prevent voice damage before it h…

This study aims to create a large collection of tissue samples from people with head and neck disorders, such as hearing loss, mouth diseases, and throat cancers. Researchers will use leftover surgical tissue and additional samples like blood, saliva, and cheek swabs to study the…

This study tests whether using a new classification system (RTSS-Voice) to document voice therapy sessions helps people with muscle tension dysphonia, a condition causing hoarseness and vocal strain. Researchers will compare outcomes from clinicians' first year using the system t…

This study aims to create a database of vocal health in people aged 4 to 65 with no voice problems, and compare them to children with voice disorders. Participants will perform simple voice tasks into a device that measures airflow and pressure. The goal is to find the best way t…

This study aims to grow miniature versions of head and neck tumors, called organoids, from patient samples. Researchers will test different cancer drugs on these organoids to see which ones work best. The goal is to eventually use this approach to tailor treatments to each patien…

This study aims to see if analyzing the chemicals in a child's breath can help diagnose and monitor diseases like asthma, neurological disorders, and type 1 diabetes. Researchers will collect breath samples from up to 3,600 children and teens to find patterns linked to these cond…

This early-phase trial tests a fluorescent dye attached to the cancer drug panitumumab to help surgeons see head and neck cancer during surgery. 18 adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma will receive the dye before surgery, and a special camera will highlight cancer ti…

This study tests a high-resolution PET-CT scanner that images removed tumors right in the operating room. About 50 adults with solid cancers will get a standard PET tracer before surgery, then the removed tissue is scanned to see if all cancer was taken out. The goal is to see if…

This study is observing how doctors manage complicated infections of the ears, nose, throat, and neck in both children and adults. Researchers will track standard treatments like surgery or medication to understand current practices. No new treatments are being tested; the goal i…

This study collects medical information and samples from people with hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, or language disorders. Researchers aim to use this data for future studies and to find candidates for other research. Participants receive standard care, and no exp…

This study observes 80 adults undergoing airway surgery with a special oxygen technique called THRIVE. Researchers will record when oxygen levels drop low enough to require rescue ventilation. The goal is to find factors that predict this event, helping anesthesiologists plan saf…

This study tests whether offering hearing tests close to home or remotely increases how many head and neck cancer patients get their hearing checked during treatment. Many patients on cisplatin chemotherapy or radiation near the ear can lose hearing, but not all complete recommen…

This study follows 6,000 children in Switzerland who have breathing issues like wheezing, coughing, or trouble breathing during exercise. Researchers collect information from doctor visits and surveys to better understand these problems and improve care. The goal is to learn more…

This study looks at why people with head and neck cancer follow (or don't follow) swallowing exercises after radiation. Researchers will use blood tests and questionnaires to see if immune system proteins or feelings about the disease affect exercise habits. The goal is to find w…

This study looks at how a gentle vibration applied to the throat affects brain activity and voice in people with laryngeal dystonia, a condition that causes involuntary voice spasms. Researchers will use brain scans and voice recordings to understand why some people get relief fr…

This study is collecting short video and voice recordings from 200 cancer patients—some in pain, some not—to create a secure database. The goal is to provide raw material for future artificial intelligence tools that could automatically assess pain from facial expressions and spe…

This study looks at immune markers in tumor tissue, saliva, stool, and blood from 250 head and neck cancer patients who cannot receive cisplatin chemotherapy. Researchers want to see if these markers can predict how well patients respond to chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel. The g…

This study looks at why some active young adults have trouble breathing during exercise due to their vocal cords closing when they shouldn't. Researchers will use a small wearable device on the neck, treadmill tests, and MRI scans to measure breathing patterns and vocal cord move…

This observational study looks at how acquired brain injury affects speech and breathing in adults with dysarthria. About 100 participants will have their voice recorded and take breathing tests. The goal is to find better ways to identify the severity and type of dysarthria, hel…

This study looks at the forces applied to the tongue and throat during laryngeal surgery. Researchers will measure these forces in 100 adults and see if they relate to pain, numbness, or tongue movement after surgery. In the second half of the study, surgeons will see real-time f…

This study looks at how men and women differ in voice quality after having their voice box removed (total laryngectomy) and using a special voice prosthesis. Researchers will ask 12 participants to complete surveys and voice tests. The goal is to understand if women have poorer s…

This study tests whether a two-part approach—improving communication about viral infections and having pharmacists double-check prescription lengths—can reduce how many days antibiotics are prescribed for respiratory infections like bronchitis, sinusitis, and sore throat. About 4…

This study is testing whether wearing a fitness tracker (like a Fitbit) can give doctors a better picture of how active cancer patients are, and whether that activity level relates to how well they are doing overall. About 590 people with various cancers will wear activity monito…

This study uses brain scans and genetic tests to explore why different forms of focal dystonia develop. Researchers will compare brain activity and structure in people with dystonia, their unaffected relatives, and healthy volunteers. The goal is to identify unique brain markers …

This study is tracking 1000 people with throat cancer to compare different treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The goal is to see which treatments lead to the best survival rates and preserve the ability to speak and swallow. Participants are aged 18-90 with var…

This study looks at how deep brain stimulation (DBS) — a treatment already used for movement disorders — affects voice and speech in people with laryngeal dystonia or voice tremor. Researchers will record brain signals during surgery and measure voice changes afterward. The goal …

Researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear are studying 165 people with laryngeal dystonia or voice tremor, along with healthy volunteers, to better understand these voice disorders. Participants will undergo voice recordings, breathing tests, and imaging to identify distinct featu…

This study looks at how brain changes and genetic risk factors are linked in laryngeal dystonia, a voice disorder. Researchers will use brain imaging and DNA tests in up to 410 people, including patients, their relatives, and those with similar voice problems. The goal is to find…

After losing their voice box to cancer, some people learn to speak using their throat and esophagus (oroesophageal voice). This study looks at whether personality traits, measured by a questionnaire, are linked to success in learning this new voice. Researchers will study 40 adul…

This study uses brain scans (fMRI, MEG, EEG) and a numbing throat spray to understand what goes wrong in the brains of people with laryngeal dystonia or voice tremor. Researchers will compare brain activity between these groups and healthy volunteers. The goal is to find unique b…

This study examines discarded tissue from 10 patients with benign tracheal stenosis, a rare condition where scarring narrows the airway. Researchers will analyze the tissue's RNA to identify inflammation and fibrosis patterns. The goal is to better understand the disease's molecu…

This study collects leftover tissue samples and additional blood, saliva, and cheek swabs from up to 1,000 people with hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, or speech disorders. The samples are stored in a biobank for researchers to study the biology of these conditions. No new …

This study is testing whether an artificial intelligence (AI) tool can help match cancer patients with the right clinical trials. Researchers will enroll up to 50,000 people with various cancers to see if the AI improves trial enrollment rates and patient outcomes. The goal is to…

This study looks at how radiation therapy for head and neck cancers affects the blood vessels in the neck. Researchers will use two types of PET/CT scans to compare images taken before and after treatment. The goal is to better understand and detect radiation-related vascular dam…

This research study collects sputum and tissue samples from 700 people with precancerous changes or certain cancers (lung, head and neck, esophageal). The goal is to find biomarkers—biological signs—that could help understand or detect these cancers earlier. Participants include …

This study will use smartphone recordings of speech, eye movements, and arm fatigue to measure key symptoms of myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness. Researchers will compare 225 participants (both with and without MG) to see if machine learning can accuratel…