HEAD AND NECK CANCER

This study tests the drug atezolizumab in about 200 adults with different incurable solid tumors. Researchers use each person's tumor DNA and RNA to see if their cancer might respond to the drug. Participants receive the same dose every 3 weeks, and the study checks if the geneti…

This study looks at how well the drug T-DXd works in adults with advanced HER2-positive solid tumors that have spread and are not responding to other treatments. About 100 people will be followed to see if their tumors shrink and how long that lasts. The goal is to provide a trea…

This early-stage study tests a new radioactive drug that seeks out a protein called Nectin-4 on cancer cells. It is for people with advanced solid tumors (like bladder, breast, lung, or cervical cancer) that have not responded to prior treatments. The main goals are to find a saf…

This study tests whether taking three oral drugs (methotrexate, erlotinib, and celecoxib) together is safe and practical for patients with head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. It enrolls 25 adults in the rural Midwest. The goal is to see if this all-pill regimen can…

This early-stage study tests a new drug called PF-08046876 in people with advanced cancers of the bladder, lung, head and neck, esophagus, or pancreas. The drug is designed to stick to cancer cells and kill them directly. The main goals are to check safety, find the best dose, an…

This study tests a new approach for people with certain head and neck cancers: using lower doses of radiation and chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove any remaining cancer in the neck. The goal is to see if this gentler treatment can still control the cancer while reducing…

This study tests a combination of three treatments—modified immune cells (PD-L1 t-haNK), an immune-boosting protein (NAI/Anktiva), and a targeted antibody (cetuximab)—in 25 adults with advanced head and neck cancer that has returned or spread. The goal is to see if this mix can s…

This study looks at whether proton therapy can safely treat tumors that have come back after standard radiation. Proton beams are more precise than X-rays, so they may deliver a stronger dose to the tumor while sparing healthy tissue. The study will enroll 1,800 adults with vario…

This early-phase study tests a new drug, VLPONC-01, injected directly into head and neck tumors to see if it's safe and can shrink tumors. About 41 adults with advanced head and neck cancer will receive the injection alone or with an immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab). The goal i…

This study is for adults with advanced head and neck cancer that has returned or spread and no longer responds to standard first-line immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) with or without chemotherapy. Researchers want to see if a combination of three drugs—carboplatin, paclitaxel, and c…

This study is for people with HPV-related throat cancer who have had surgery. It tests whether a lower, personalized dose of radiation (and sometimes chemo) can control the cancer while causing fewer side effects and improving quality of life. About 111 adults will take part.

This study tests a new drug called PC14586 (rezatapopt) in people with advanced or spreading solid tumors that have a specific change in the TP53 gene (Y220C mutation). The goal is to see if the drug is safe and works against these cancers. About 300 adults (and some teens after …

This early-stage trial tests whether using ultrasound and microbubbles can help the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab work better in people with advanced head and neck cancer. Six participants will receive the drug followed by ultrasound aimed at their tumor. The main goal is to s…

This study tests whether adding a new immunotherapy drug (iparomlimab and tuvonralimab) to standard chemoradiation can help control advanced head and neck cancer. About 27 adults with stage III-IVB disease will receive the combination. The goal is to see if it improves the chance…

This study tests whether combining radiation therapy (either standard X-ray or proton beam) with an immunotherapy drug (pembrolizumab) before surgery is safe and effective for people with recurrent head and neck cancer. About 40 participants will receive the combination treatment…

This early-phase trial tests a new drug called MDX2001 in people with advanced solid tumors that have spread. The main goals are to check the drug's safety and see if it can shrink tumors. About 285 adults with various cancers like lung, breast, or colon cancer will take part.

This study tests whether giving radiation only to high-risk areas after surgery for head and neck cancer can lower side effects without increasing the chance of cancer coming back. About 50 adults with certain types of head and neck cancer will receive a personalized radiation pl…

This early-phase study tests a new treatment for advanced head and neck cancer that has not responded to standard therapies. The treatment uses specially engineered immune cells (NK cells) from donated cord blood, designed to better target cancer cells and resist tumor defenses. …

This program provides ulixertinib, an experimental drug, to adults with advanced solid tumors that have specific genetic changes (MAPK pathway mutations) and who have run out of standard treatments. The goal is to control the cancer, not cure it. Participants may take ulixertinib…

This study looks at whether a simple blood test can tell which throat cancer patients can safely skip radiation after surgery. About 61 people with HPV-related throat cancer will have their blood tested before and after surgery. If the test is negative after surgery and they are …

This study is for people with head and neck cancer. It compares two radiation methods: one that treats only the involved lymph nodes (INRT) and one that treats a larger area (ENI). The goal is to see if the smaller treatment area can reduce side effects like skin irritation witho…

This early-phase study tests a new drug called OCT-598 in about 51 adults with advanced solid tumors (breast, lung, prostate, head/neck, or stomach cancer). The main goal is to find the safest dose and check for side effects when given alone or with standard treatments. Participa…

This study tests whether a pill (apixaban) is a safe and easier alternative to daily shots (enoxaparin) for preventing blood clots after head and neck cancer surgery. About 76 adults will take one of the two medicines for 10 days after surgery. Researchers will check for side eff…

This study tests an experimental drug called patritumab deruxtecan in people with advanced solid tumors that have spread or cannot be removed. The trial includes 740 participants with 13 different cancer types, such as lung, breast, and prostate cancer. The goal is to see if the …

This early-stage study tests a new drug called EPI-326 in about 110 people with advanced lung cancer (with a specific EGFR gene change) or head and neck cancer. The main goal is to find a safe dose and check for side effects. Researchers will also measure drug levels in the blood…

This study tests whether ongoing immune therapy can help prevent head and neck cancer from coming back in patients who already had a strong response to initial treatment. About 268 adults aged 18 to 80 with locally advanced head and neck cancer will receive immune maintenance the…

This early-phase study tests a new drug called ALX2004 in people with advanced or metastatic solid tumors (lung, head and neck, colorectal, esophageal) that have not responded to standard treatments. ALX2004 is an antibody drug conjugate designed to deliver chemotherapy directly …

This study tests a combination of three drugs (volrustomig, paclitaxel, and carboplatin) in people with untreated HPV-negative head and neck cancer that has spread locally but not to other parts of the body. The goal is to see how many patients experience significant tumor shrink…

This study tests whether it is safe to skip radiation to the lymph nodes in the neck after surgery for early-stage oral cancer. About 396 adults aged 18-70 with certain high-risk features will be randomly assigned to receive or not receive this radiation. The goal is to see if om…

This study tests a new treatment called iC9.CAR-CSPG4 T cells for people with head and neck cancer that has returned after standard therapy. The treatment uses a patient's own immune cells, which are modified in a lab to better recognize and attack cancer cells. The main goals ar…

This study tests giving chemotherapy and an immunotherapy drug before standard surgery for head and neck cancer. The goal is to shrink tumors enough so that surgeons can perform a less extensive operation, preserving speech, swallowing, and vision. The trial enrolls 75 adults wit…

This study compares two radiation schedules for people with head and neck cancer who start treatment more than six weeks after surgery. One group gets radiation six days a week (accelerated), the other gets the standard five days a week. The goal is to see if the faster schedule …

This early-phase study is testing whether adding two immunotherapy drugs (cemiplimab and cetuximab) to standard chemotherapy before surgery is safe and effective for people with advanced head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if this approach might allow patients to skip radiat…

This study tests a new drug called MCLA-129 in people with advanced solid tumors like lung, head and neck, or colorectal cancer that has not responded to standard treatments. The drug is a bispecific antibody designed to attach to two cancer-related proteins (EGFR and c-Met) to b…

This study tests whether giving antibiotics before surgery can lower the amount of bacteria found inside oral cancer tumors. About 30 adults with oral cancer will receive metronidazole and a special mouthwash before their planned surgery. Researchers will compare bacteria levels …

This study is for people whose head and neck cancer has come back after previous treatment. It tests a new combination of drugs (tislelizumab and pamiparib) given together with chemotherapy and a second round of radiation. The main goal is to find the safest dose and see if this …

This study tests a new treatment that delivers a powerful, short-range radioactive particle directly to cancer cells that have a protein called FAP on their surface. The therapy is given in two steps: first a low-dose imaging version to see if the tumor takes up the drug, then a …

This study tests whether a dye called panitumumab-IRDye800 can make head and neck cancer cells glow during surgery, helping surgeons see exactly where the cancer is and remove it completely while sparing healthy tissue. About 25 adults with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and…

This study is testing a new type of PET scan that uses a special tracer to find a protein called Trop2 on cancer cells. The goal is to see if this scan can detect and monitor many types of solid tumors more accurately than current methods. About 400 adults with or suspected of ha…

This study is testing a special dye called pegsitacianine that makes cancer cells glow during surgery. About 120 adults with head and neck cancer will receive one dose before their operation. Doctors will use cameras to see if the dye helps find tumors that are hard to detect, es…

This study is testing a new imaging agent called 18F-T2, which targets a protein (CAIX) found on many solid tumors. About 200 adults with cancers like kidney, bladder, colorectal, or lung cancer will receive a PET/CT scan using this agent. The goal is to see if it can find tumors…

This study is testing a blood test that looks for DNA signals from 20 different cancers, including breast, lung, and colon cancer. Researchers want to see if the test can find cancer early, detect any cancer left after treatment, and catch a relapse before symptoms appear. About …

This study tests whether a near-infrared camera and a dye called indocyanine green can help surgeons spot tiny bits of cancer left behind during head and neck cancer surgery. About 65 adults with mouth or throat cancer will receive the dye before surgery, and the camera will scan…

This study is testing a special camera that uses a laser to take detailed pictures of mouth sores before surgery. The goal is to see if these pictures can help doctors find oral cancer cells without needing a biopsy. About 140 people with mouth cancer will have their sores photog…

This study looks at whether a special MRI scan can help doctors predict a serious side effect called osteoradionecrosis (bone death) in people with head and neck cancer who are getting radiation therapy. About 1,400 participants will have MRI scans before, during, and after treat…

This study tests whether atorvastatin, a drug used for high cholesterol, can reduce hearing loss caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin in people with head and neck cancer. About 224 adults will either take atorvastatin or a placebo during their cancer treatment. Hearing tests…

This study tests whether early physical therapy can prevent or reduce jaw stiffness (trismus) in people with head and neck cancer who are getting radiation. Thirty participants will do jaw exercises and manual therapy if their mouth opening decreases. The goal is to see if this a…

This study compares a new type of radiotherapy (dose painting) to standard radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. The goal is to see if the new approach causes fewer severe mouth ulcers one year after treatment. About 100 adults with certain head and neck cancers will take part, …

This study tests whether a personalized exercise program using motion exergames (like Nintendo Switch) can help head and neck cancer survivors reduce fatigue and pain after treatment. About 150 participants who have finished radiation or chemotherapy will be assigned to either th…

This study tests a light therapy called photobiomodulation to see if it can improve dry mouth, swallowing, and overall quality of life in 60 head and neck cancer survivors who have finished radiation. Participants will use a mobile health tool to track their symptoms. The goal is…

This study tests whether the drug riluzole can prevent memory and thinking problems (often called 'chemo brain') in people receiving chemotherapy for various cancers. About 24 adults with breast, lung, or other cancers will receive either riluzole or a placebo during their chemo.…

This study tests whether starting tongue strengthening exercises soon after tongue cancer surgery can improve speech and swallowing. About 40 adults who have part of their tongue removed will use a biofeedback device called the Tongueometer to guide their exercises. The goal is t…

This pilot study tests if brodalumab, a drug approved for autoimmune diseases, can safely reduce severe side effects caused by cancer immunotherapy. About 11 adults with various solid tumors who have immune-related side effects will receive brodalumab. The goal is to see if it lo…

This study is for head and neck cancer survivors who have dry mouth after radiation therapy. Researchers want to see if a non-invasive, acupuncture-like electrical nerve stimulation (called ALTENS) can help. About 75 adults who finished radiation at least 3 months ago and still h…

This study tests a light-based treatment called photobiomodulation to reduce chronic swelling (lymphedema) in the head and neck area after cancer treatment. It involves 150 adult survivors who have had head and neck cancer and still have swelling that hasn't fully responded to st…

This study tests a new way to give radiation for head and neck cancer that may reduce dry mouth, a common and severe side effect. About 98 adults with oropharynx cancer will be randomly assigned to standard radiation or a technique guided by MRI that spares the saliva ducts. The …

This study looks at whether a program of nutrition counseling, guided exercise, and wellness education can help reduce side effects and improve physical function and quality of life in 30 adults with head and neck cancer who are receiving chemoradiation. The goal is to see if the…

This study tests a chatbot called Digi-Coach to see if it can lower physical and emotional distress in people receiving radiation for head and neck cancer. About 138 adults will either use the chatbot plus standard care or just standard care. The chatbot lets patients ask questio…

This study tests a short video-based therapy called BRIGHT to help head and neck cancer survivors who feel distressed about changes in their appearance. About 180 survivors will be randomly assigned to BRIGHT or a supportive talk session. The goal is to see if BRIGHT reduces body…

This study tests whether extra nutrition support before and after surgery helps head and neck cancer patients maintain their weight. Sixty adults having surgery for head and neck cancer will be split into two groups: one gets standard dietary advice, the other gets personalized c…

This study tests a special gel and mouthwash (XCM-OM118) in 63 head and neck cancer patients getting radiation, with or without chemo. The goal is to see if it lowers the chance of severe mouth sores (grade 3-4) and improves quality of life. Patients use the product during radiat…

This study looks at whether nerve transfer surgery can improve facial movement and quality of life in cancer patients who have facial paralysis. About 40 adults who are scheduled for this surgery will take part. Researchers will track side effects and measure changes in how patie…

This study looks at whether special training for caregivers of head and neck cancer patients can make a difference. After surgery, patients often have trouble breathing, eating, and speaking. The training teaches caregivers how to help with these needs so the patient can safely r…

This study tests a nurse-led plan to manage symptoms early in head and neck cancer patients getting radiation. The goal is to see if it reduces treatment breaks. About 170 adults will take part, comparing the new approach to standard care.

This study looks at whether offering nutrition counseling and exercise programs before and during radiation or chemoradiation helps head and neck cancer patients. Researchers want to see if patients find these services useful and easy to stick with. About 60 adults with non-sprea…

This study tests a special cooling mouthpiece used during radiation therapy for larynx cancer. The goal is to see if cooling the mouth can prevent or reduce taste loss, a common side effect of radiation. About 15 adults with advanced larynx cancer will try the device and report c…

This study looks at whether giving fluoride varnish during regular cancer follow-up visits can help improve oral health for head and neck cancer patients who have had radiation and lack easy access to dental care. About 120 uninsured or underinsured adults will take part. Researc…

This study tests whether using MRI scans to adjust radiation doses during treatment can reduce damage to nearby healthy organs in people with head and neck cancer. About 35 adults with squamous cell carcinoma will receive standard radiation plus an MRI-guided boost. The goal is t…

This study tests whether a special light therapy (called photobiomodulation or PBM) can reduce swelling and scarring in head and neck cancer patients who have had radiation. About 60 people who finished radiation at least 3 months ago will be randomly assigned to receive either t…

This study tests whether a special fruit cube (miraculin) can improve taste problems in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. About 40 participants will receive either the fruit cube or a placebo during the first half of treatment. The goal is to help patien…

This study tests whether a special spa therapy program can improve skin-related quality of life for people who have skin hardening or scarring (fibrosis) after radiation for breast or head/neck cancer. About 110 adults who finished radiation at least 6 months ago will be randomly…

This study tests a prehabilitation program for 60 adults with head and neck cancer. About 4 weeks before surgery or chemoradiotherapy, patients start a personalized plan of exercise, nutrition advice, and psychological counseling, continuing through treatment and 2 weeks after. R…

This study tests whether a structured physical activity program can help people with head and neck cancer reduce the time they spend sitting and increase their overall activity. About 96 patients will be randomly assigned to either the exercise program or standard care, and resea…

This study tests whether a heavy lifting strength training program can help head and neck cancer survivors regain muscle strength, reduce fatigue, and improve quality of life. About 60 adults who finished cancer treatment at least one year ago will be randomly assigned to either …

This study is testing whether a virtual mind-body program called Integrative Medicine at Home (IM@Home) can help people with head and neck, thoracic, gynecologic, or other cancers feel less tired and have a better quality of life while receiving treatments like chemotherapy or ra…

This study enrolls 7,000 people with various cancers who have had or will have treatment aimed at curing their disease. Researchers collect blood, tissue, urine, and saliva samples over time to look for tiny bits of cancer DNA that might remain after treatment. The goal is to lea…

This study looks at whether a simple blood test that finds leftover cancer cells (circulating tumor cells) can help doctors decide which oral cancer patients need extra chemotherapy after standard treatment. About 100 adults with high-risk oral cancer will be tested after finishi…

This study is collecting medical information and tissue samples from 350 head and neck cancer patients at Samsung Medical Center. Researchers want to understand why some patients respond better to treatment than others. The goal is to find biological markers that can help guide p…

This study tests whether giving head and neck cancer survivors a personalized survivorship care plan, along with a counseling session, helps them get better follow-up care. About 176 survivors will be randomly assigned to receive either the care plan or usual care. The goal is to…

This study is testing a new surgical technique to rebuild parts of the mouth or throat after cancer removal. The new method uses a skin flap from the groin area (external pudendal flap) instead of the usual donor sites, hoping to cause fewer complications. The study will include …

This study is testing whether tiny particles in the blood, called extracellular vesicles, can predict nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. Researchers will follow 120 adults with various cancers who are receiving specific chemotherapy drugs. Participants will give blood samples a…

This study is testing a new tool to predict which elderly patients (70 years and older) with advanced head and neck cancer are likely to experience severe side effects from treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. The goal is to help doctors choose safer, more effective treatm…

This study is collecting blood and tumor samples from 1100 people with various cancers (like head and neck, ovarian, and lung cancer) to learn how immune cells called T cells behave. The goal is to understand why some cancers are better at hiding from the immune system. Participa…

This study looks at how the natural bacteria in your mouth might influence how well radiation therapy works for head and neck cancer. Researchers will collect saliva samples from 100 patients before, during, and after treatment to see if certain bacteria help control tumors or re…

This study asks Hispanic/Latinx head and neck cancer survivors about their awareness of lung cancer screening. Researchers will use surveys and interviews to understand what barriers exist. The goal is to improve screening rates in this group. No treatment or medication is involv…

This study looks at whether a 2-week program of exercise and nutrition before head and neck cancer surgery is safe and acceptable. Researchers will track how many patients complete the program, any side effects, and how well participants follow the plan. The goal is to see if thi…

This study aims to discover new proteins and genes involved in head and neck cancer. Researchers at Stanford will analyze tissue from 500 patients undergoing surgery to understand how the disease develops and progresses. The goal is to lay the groundwork for better diagnostic too…

This study collects live tumor tissue from 2,000 people with various cancers to understand why some respond to immunotherapy and others don't. Participants give a biopsy as part of their normal care, and researchers analyze the samples in the lab. The goal is to develop better wa…

This study looks at a nerve in the neck called the ansa cervicalis, which controls muscles that may help keep the airway open during sleep. Researchers will measure the nerve's size and shape in 50 adults having neck surgery for head and neck cancer. They will also test how much …

This study is building a large registry of up to 13,600 adults with rare head and neck cancers across Europe. Researchers will collect information from existing databases and doctors to track how these cancers behave, what treatments work best, and how patients fare over time. No…

This study follows 400 adults who need a second surgery for head and neck cancer that returned or remained after initial treatment. Researchers will track how long patients stay cancer-free and their quality of life after this salvage surgery. They will also analyze tumor genetic…

This study is testing new MRI techniques to get more detailed information about head and neck and thyroid cancers. Researchers will scan 200 adults with these cancers to see if the new methods can help predict how well treatment is working. The goal is to improve understanding of…

This study tests a program called CARES that provides advocacy, resources, education, and support to rural cancer patients. The goal is to see if it helps them start treatment sooner after diagnosis and finish it faster. The study will include 320 adults with solid tumors like lu…

This study is for people with advanced head and neck cancer who are receiving standard immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Researchers want to understand why only about 15% of patients respond well to these treatments. By analyzing tumor and blood samples before and after treatment, …

This study aims to understand why some head and neck cancers come back or resist treatment after radiation therapy. Researchers will collect blood, saliva, and tumor samples from 20 adults who have had radiation and are now having robotic surgery. The goal is to learn how the can…

This study is testing a new PET-CT scanner that takes detailed pictures of cancer tissue right after it is removed during surgery. Researchers want to see if these images match what the lab finds under a microscope. About 850 people with prostate, breast, head and neck, or other …

This study looks at why cancer patients feel very tired during chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers will collect blood and stool samples from 125 adults with different cancers before, during, and after treatment. They aim to find links between fatigue and changes in genes and …

This study is collecting information from 8,000 cancer patients treated with a special machine called the MR-Linac, which combines an MRI scanner with a radiation therapy device. The goal is to see how well this technology works for different cancers, including breast, prostate, …

This study looks at whether changes in the natural bacteria living in your mouth and gut (the microbiome) play a role in head and neck cancer. Researchers will collect stool and saliva samples from 60 adults—some with cancer and some without—to compare their microbiomes. The goal…

This study collects tissue, saliva, and blood samples from up to 8,000 people with head and neck cancer and healthy volunteers. Researchers will also gather medical and lifestyle information to create a database. The goal is to store these samples and data for future cancer resea…

This study collects blood and leftover tissue samples from 9,600 adults with different types of cancer, such as breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer. Researchers will use these samples to improve tests that look for tiny bits of cancer DNA in the blood, which may help detect if ca…

This study looks at sputum and tissue samples from 700 people with or without precancerous changes in the airways. The goal is to find biomarkers—biological clues—that may help detect lung, head and neck, or esophageal cancer earlier. Participants provide samples during routine p…

This study is testing a small implantable device that delivers tiny amounts of different drugs directly into head and neck tumors. The goal is to see which drugs kill cancer cells best in each person, without giving the full treatment yet. About 30 adults with certain head and ne…

This study collects blood, tumor, and other tissue samples from up to 1,250 people with head and neck, lung, or gastrointestinal cancers. Researchers will analyze these samples to learn how different cancer treatments affect the immune system, identify who might develop side effe…

This study aims to collect blood samples (liquid biopsies) from 2,500 people with cancer or at high risk for cancer, along with their medical information. The samples will be stored and used by researchers to develop better ways to detect, monitor, and understand cancer over time…

This study tests a program called ENDURE that helps head and neck cancer patients start radiation therapy within 6 weeks after surgery, as guidelines recommend. About 532 adults will be assigned to either the navigation program or usual care. The goal is to see if the program red…

This study is testing whether a blood test that looks for tumor DNA (ctDNA) can find cancer returning sooner than standard scans. Researchers will follow 100 people with various solid tumors to see if early detection leads to better treatment options. The goal is to improve how w…

This study monitors the nutritional health of 57 adults with head and neck cancer who are receiving radiation therapy. Researchers regularly check body composition, muscle strength, food intake, and quality of life to spot early signs of malnutrition. The goal is to better unders…

This study tests whether daily CT scans can help doctors see and protect the ovaries during pelvic radiation in women under 50 with various cancers. The goal is to keep radiation doses to the ovaries low enough to avoid early menopause and infertility. Ten participants will recei…

This study is gathering tumor, blood, and plasma samples from over 1,000 people with certain cancers (ovarian, triple-negative breast, head and neck, cervical, vulva, and sarcoma). The goal is to find new biomarkers that link a tumor's genetic changes and the body's immune respon…

Some head and neck cancer survivors have trouble closing the back of their throat, causing nasal-sounding speech and swallowing problems. This study tests whether a throat injection can plump up the throat wall to improve these issues. Researchers will also use advanced tests to …