Mode
Home
Research
Clinical Trials Drug Pipeline Weekly Digests
Reference
Conditions Medications
Community
Questions
Text Size
Log in / Sign up
Home › Conditions › Head and Neck Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Part of Cancer

Subtypes of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma 21 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma 16 Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma 14 Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma 14 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma 10 Thyroid Nodules 6 Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma 4 Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma 4 Recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma 2 Oral leukoplakia 1 Papillary Thyroid Cancer 1 Salivary gland cancer 1 Thyroid carcinoma 1 Thyroid Neoplasm 1 Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma 0 Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma 0

112 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Head and Neck Cancer

348 trials tracked for Head and Neck Cancer: 40 in phase 3 or 4 and 21 with published results. The most-cited published study has 1700 citations.

348Trials tracked
40Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
21With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 6 Phase 3 34 Phase 2 212 Phase 1 24 Other / NA 72
  1. Phase 3 Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Versus Standard Treatment for Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer (MK-3475-040/KEYNOTE-040) Completed · 1,700 cited
  2. Phase 3 Radiation Therapy With Cisplatin or Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer Completed · 1,303 cited
  3. Phase 3 Radiation Therapy and Cisplatin With or Without Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer Completed · 833 cited
  4. Phase 3 A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) for First Line Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck (MK-3475-048/KEYNOTE-048) Completed · 494 cited
  5. Phase 3 Study of MEDI4736 Monotherapy and in Combination With Tremelimumab Versus Standard of Care Therapy in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Completed · 365 cited
  6. Phase 3 Radiation Therapy, Amifostine, and Chemotherapy in Treating Young Patients With Newly Diagnosed Nasopharyngeal Cancer Completed · 266 cited
Show 44 more trials
  1. Phase 3 Tislelizumab Combined With Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy Alone in Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) Completed · 218 cited
  2. Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) or Placebo With Chemoradiation in Participants With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (MK-3475-412/KEYNOTE-412) Completed · 210 cited
  3. Phase 3 Study of Nivolumab in Combination With Ipilimumab Compared to the Standard of Care (Extreme Regimen) as First Line Treatment in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Completed · 159 cited
  4. Phase 4 Health Education Counseling With or Without Bupropion in Helping African Americans Stop Smoking Completed · 112 cited
  5. Phase 3 Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Platinum Pre-treated Recurrent/Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Cancer (MK-3475-122/KEYNOTE-122) Completed · 108 cited
  6. Phase 3 Doxepin Hydrochloride in Treating Oral Mucositis Pain in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy With or Without Chemotherapy Completed · 89 cited
  7. Phase 3 Radiation + Cisplatin or Panitumumab in Locally Advanced Stage III or Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer Completed · 71 cited
  8. Phase 3 Phase III Trial to Assess Efficacy and Safety of Cetuximab for the Treatment of Chinese Participants With Head and Neck Cancer Completed · 63 cited
  9. Phase 3 LUX-Head&Neck 3: Afatinib (BIBW2992) Versus Methotrexate for the Treatment of Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer After Platinum Based Chemotherapy Completed · 59 cited
  10. Phase 4 A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel as First-line Treatment of Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (MK-3475-B10/KEYNOTE B10) Completed · 55 cited
  11. Phase 3 Radiation Therapy With Durvalumab or Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Who Cannot Take Cisplatin Completed · 54 cited
  12. Phase 3 Acupuncture-Like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ALTENS) or Pilocarpine in Treating Early Dry Mouth in Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer Completed · 51 cited
  13. Phase 4 Perioperative Gabapentin Use In Head And Neck Mucosal Surgery Patients Completed · 30 cited
  14. Phase 3 Pembrolizumab Plus Epacadostat, Pembrolizumab Monotherapy, and the EXTREME Regimen in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (KEYNOTE-669/ECHO-304) Completed · 15 cited
  15. Phase 4 LigaSure Small Jaw® Versus Conventional Neck Dissection in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Completed · 7 cited
  16. Phase 4 Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Tumors Completed
  17. Phase 4 Counseling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Helping Adult Smokers Quit Smoking Completed
  18. Phase 3 Study of Prophylactic Topical Dapsone 5% Gel Versus Moisturizer for Cetuximab-induced Papulopustular (Acneiform) Rash in Patients With mCRC or HNSCC Without Previous or Concurrent RT Completed
  19. Phase 3 Phase III Study of Vinflunine Plus Methotrexate Versus Methotrexate Alone in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  20. Phase 3 A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Manuka Honey for Oral Mucositis Due to Radiation Therapy for Cancer Completed
  21. Phase 3 Modified Dakin's Solution in Reducing Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy Completed
  22. Phase 3 Gabapentin Compared to Standard of Care in Preventing Mucositis in Patients With Stage III-IV Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Primary or Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy Completed
  23. Phase 3 Radiation Therapy Cisplatin With or Without Fluorouracil Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  24. Phase 3 GM-CSF Mouthwash for Preventing and Treating Mucositis in Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  25. Phase 3 A Study for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  26. Phase 3 Study of Panitumumab Efficacy in Patients With Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  27. Phase 3 Study Of Adjuvant Lapatinib In High-Risk Head And Neck Cancer Subjects After Surgery Completed
  28. Phase 3 LUX-Head&Neck 1: A Phase III Trial of Afatinib (BIBW2992) Versus Methotrexate for the Treatment of Recurrent and/or Metastatic (R/M) Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer After Platinum Based Chemotherapy Completed
  29. Phase 3 Zalutumumab in Patients With Non-curable Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  30. Phase 3 Palifermin for the Reduction of Oral Mucositis in Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  31. Phase 3 Cetuximab (Erbitux) in Combination With Cisplatin or Carboplatin and 5-Fluorouracil in the First Line Treatment of Subjects With Recurrent and/or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (EXTREME) Completed
  32. Phase 3 Combination Chemotherapy and Radiation in Treating Patients With Stage III or IV Head and Neck Cancer (Paradigm Trial) Completed
  33. Phase 3 Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy With or Without Surgery in Treating Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  34. Phase 3 Low-level Laser Therapy to Prevent Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Patients Completed
  35. Phase 2 Dual Inhibition of EGFR With Afatinib and Cetuximab in the Treatment of Advanced Squamous Cell Cancers of the Head and Neck Completed
  36. Phase 2 A Study of ALKS 4230 (Nemvaleukin Alfa) With Pembrolizumab in Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  37. Phase 2 Trial of RAD001 and Erlotinib With Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Completed
  38. Phase 2 Immunotherapy With MK-3475 in Surgically Resectable Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Completed
  39. Phase 2 Adjuvant Cetuximab and Chemoradiotherapy Using Either Cisplatin or Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Resected Stage III or Stage IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma or Lymphoepithelioma of the Head and Neck Completed
  40. Phase 2 Gemcitabine and Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Persistent, Recurrent, or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  41. Phase 2 Trial To Test Safety And Efficacy Of Vaccination For Incurable HPV 16-Related Oropharyngeal, Cervical And Anal Cancer Completed
  42. Phase 2 Cetuximab, Chemotherapy, and Radiation Therapy for Operable Stage III or IV Head and Neck Cancer Completed
  43. Phase 2 De-intensification of Radiation & Chemotherapy in Low-Risk Human Papillomavirus-related Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Ca Completed
  44. Phase 2 A Study of the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Epacadostat Administered in Combination With Nivolumab in Select Advanced Cancers (ECHO-204) Completed

Showing the 50 most-cited and recently-updated of 348 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found Updated — new results For clinicians

Head and Neck Cancer: what the trials found

In the management of head and neck cancer, several therapies have established clinical profiles. Methotrexate demonstrated a progression-free survival (PFS) of 2.86 vs. 2.56 months (p=0.0005) and an objective response rate of 64% vs. 14% (p=0.0016) 1. Pembrolizumab showed a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) for all participants (8.4 vs. 7.1 months, p=0.03160) and specifically for patients with PD-L1 expression ≥1% CPS (8.7 vs. 7.1 months, p=0.00493) 21. Cetuximab was associated with improved progression-free survival (78.4 vs. 67.3 months, p=0.0002), though it showed a shorter time to local-regional failure (9.9 vs. 17.3, p=0.0005) and a non-significant difference in time to distant metastasis 22.

Other established interventions include Gabapentin for pain management [7, 17], neck dissection where operation duration was significantly shorter in one cohort (97.1 vs. 116.3, p=0.022) 18, and stereotactic body radiotherapy 19. For smoking cessation support, nicotine lozenges showed a significant difference in 24-hour point prevalence abstinence at 6 months (50% vs. 35%, p=0.05) 20, while bupropion hydrochloride was evaluated regarding metabolic differences and smoking abstinence 15.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Durvalumab is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 trial 2.
  • Nivolumab treatment resulted in Grade 3 and 4 adverse events in 17% of patients, with any grade adverse events occurring in 37% 4.
  • Atezolizumab showed no statistically significant differences in objective response (15.4% vs. 21.3%, p=0.3886), progression-free survival (2.99 vs. 4.14, p=0.5983), or overall survival (13.57 vs. 16.23, p=0.4457) 6.
  • MASL showed significant correlations regarding pre-treatment OSCC morphology and PDPN expression (p=<0.05) 10.
  • Research CBCT demonstrated a significantly lower ratio of HU error (1.768, p=0.0001), a significant median shift in Hounsfield Unit error (-128.8, p=0.001953), and a higher ratio of artifact amplitude (1.489, p=0.0001) compared to standard CBCT 11.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Pembrolizumab has demonstrated statistically significant improvements in overall survival for both the general patient population and those with PD-L1 expression 21.
  • Methotrexate shows a statistically significant improvement in objective response rates compared to its comparator 1.
  • Cetuximab is associated with significantly improved progression-free survival, though it may be associated with shorter times to local-regional failure 22.

AI synthesis of 12 cited trials, updated Jun 19, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Review links mature intra-tumoral TLS to better prognosis and immunotherapy response in head and neck cancer
Allergy & Immunology Sys. Review
Review links mature intra-tumoral TLS to better prognosis and immunotherapy response in head and neck cancer Scientists found that special immune cells inside tumors help patients with head and neck cancer survive longer and respond better to treatment
This systematic literature review examines the role of tertiary lymphoid structures in patients with head and neck cancer. The authors synth…
A review of studies shows that mature immune cells found inside tumors are linked to better outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer.…
Frontiers May 12, 2026
Narrative review on therapeutic cancer vaccines for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Oncology Sys. Review
Narrative review on therapeutic cancer vaccines for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Review discusses cancer vaccines for head and neck cancer
This narrative review synthesizes evidence on therapeutic cancer vaccines, including personalized vaccines, for head and neck squamous cell …
This review looks at how cancer vaccines might work alongside other treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Frontiers May 12, 2026
Narrative review explores Veillonella's dynamic role in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Oncology Sys. Review
Narrative review explores Veillonella's dynamic role in oral squamous cell carcinoma Oral bacteria shift early in cancer and vanish as tumors grow
This narrative review examines the role of Veillonella species in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The authors report a dynamic, stage-d…
A specific mouth bacteria appears early in cancer development but disappears as tumors grow larger, suggesting it helps start the problem ra…
Frontiers May 9, 2026
Meta-analysis of postoperative radiotherapy versus radiochemotherapy for salivary gland cancer finds no significant survival difference
Oncology Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis of postoperative radiotherapy versus radiochemotherapy for salivary gland cancer finds no significant survival difference Radiotherapy alone may be as good as combined therapy for salivary gland cancer
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized retrospective data on postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) versus postoperative radiochemo…
A large review found no clear survival benefit when adding chemotherapy to radiation after surgery for salivary gland cancer.
May 7, 2026
Review of epigenetic dysregulation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma management
Allergy & Immunology Sys. Review
Review of epigenetic dysregulation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma management Epigenetic changes could guide better treatment plans for nasopharyngeal cancer patients soon
This narrative review examines epigenetic dysregulation, including aberrant DNA and RNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding R…
A new review explains how silent chemical switches control cancer spread and how doctors might use them to tailor treatments for patients.
Frontiers May 6, 2026
Early time-of-day immune checkpoint inhibitor administration improves overall survival in advanced solid tumors
Oncology Meta-analysis
Early time-of-day immune checkpoint inhibitor administration improves overall survival in advanced solid tumors Cancer Patients Live Longer When Immunotherapy Starts Early in Day
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 6129 patients with advanced solid tumors receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Earlier …
• Morning immunotherapy shots link to longer survival for advanced cancers • Helps patients fighting lung stomach kidney and other tough can…
May 5, 2026
Meta-analysis shows neoadjuvant chemoradiation improves resection and survival outcomes for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients compared to chemotherapy alone
ENT (Otolaryngology) Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis shows neoadjuvant chemoradiation improves resection and survival outcomes for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients compared to chemotherapy alone Adding radiation before surgery helps some esophageal cancer patients get better surgery results and live longer
This meta-analysis of 2,174 patients reveals that adding radiation to chemotherapy significantly boosts resection rates and survival for squ…
A large review found that adding radiation to chemotherapy before surgery helped remove more tumors in certain cancer types. This approach a…
May 5, 2026
Narrative review discusses HPV-associated head and neck and cervical squamous cell carcinoma without reporting specific outcomes
Allergy & Immunology Sys. Review
Narrative review discusses HPV-associated head and neck and cervical squamous cell carcinoma without reporting specific outcomes Doctors Find Hidden Pattern in HPV Cancers That Changes Treatment
This narrative review addresses patients with HPV-associated tumors involving head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcin…
HPV cancers in the head and neck hide from the immune system differently than cervical cancers, explaining why some patients respond better …
Frontiers May 5, 2026
GERD Associated with Increased Risk of Laryngeal Cancer in Meta-Analysis
ENT (Otolaryngology) Meta-analysis
GERD Associated with Increased Risk of Laryngeal Cancer in Meta-Analysis Large study links GERD to higher risk of laryngeal cancer
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,768,394 adults found that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was significantly associated wit…
A massive analysis of nearly 1.8 million adults found a link between gastroesophageal reflux disease and increased risk of laryngeal cancer.
May 1, 2026
SABR Protocol Deviations Linked to Poorer Survival in Oligometastatic Head and Neck Cancer
ENT (Otolaryngology) RCT
SABR Protocol Deviations Linked to Poorer Survival in Oligometastatic Head and Neck Cancer Major protocol deviations cut survival time for head and neck cancer patients
This exploratory analysis of a randomized phase 2 trial (GORTEC 2014-04) in 69 patients with oligometastatic head and neck cancer found that…
Strict radiation quality checks linked to better survival for head and neck cancer patients. Minor or major errors during treatment reduced …
May 1, 2026
Lignocaine-based opioid-free anesthesia increases sevoflurane need in head-and-neck cancer surgery
ENT (Otolaryngology) RCT
Lignocaine-based opioid-free anesthesia increases sevoflurane need in head-and-neck cancer surgery Opioid-free surgery needs more gas to keep patients asleep safely
This randomized trial in 30 patients undergoing head-and-neck cancer surgery found that lignocaine-based opioid-free anesthesia required hig…
Opioid-free anesthesia using lignocaine needs more breathing gas and causes more blood pressure spikes than morphine during major head surge…
May 1, 2026
Meta-analysis finds frozen section reliable for tumor-free margins in OSCC
Oncology Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis finds frozen section reliable for tumor-free margins in OSCC Surgeons rely on frozen sections to ensure clean cuts for oral cancer patients
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 studies (9 with complete data) assessed frozen section analysis for detecting tumor-free marg…
A new review confirms that frozen section analysis is a highly reliable way for surgeons to check if oral cancer has been fully removed duri…
May 1, 2026

Research across Cancer

Related studies from across the Cancer family.

Narrative review covers diagnostic and treatment strategies for metastatic head and neck cancer with no identifiable primary tumor
Urology Sys. Review
Narrative review covers diagnostic and treatment strategies for metastatic head and neck cancer with no identifiable primary tumor Doctors use many tools to treat head and neck cancer when the main tumor is hidden
This narrative review addresses diagnostic and treatment strategies for metastatic cases of head and neck cancer with no identifiable primar…
When head and neck cancer spreads but the original spot is missing, doctors use many tools. Imaging, special tests, and surgery help find th…
Frontiers May 21, 2026
In a prospective cohort, periampullary tumor surgery affected quality of life and survival metrics
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Cohort
In a prospective cohort, periampullary tumor surgery affected quality of life and survival metrics Life After Major Cancer Surgery Isn’t What We Thought
This prospective cohort study evaluated 111 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors at a University Medical Cen…
Imagine waking up after major cancer surgery.
Frontiers Apr 24, 2026
Case report suggests grade 3 ICI-induced inflammatory arthritis may correlate with sustained response to tislelizumab in advanced head and neck carcinoma
Rheumatology Cohort
Case report suggests grade 3 ICI-induced inflammatory arthritis may correlate with sustained response to tislelizumab in advanced head and neck carcinoma Could a painful joint flare actually signal that cancer treatment is working long-term?
This case report and literature review describes a single patient with advanced unknown primary carcinoma of the head and neck receiving mai…
A patient with advanced head and neck cancer stayed in complete remission for over a year after joint pain from treatment forced doctors to …
Frontiers Apr 14, 2026

Questions about Head and Neck Cancer

What is the risk of acute kidney disease for head and neck cancer patients treated with cisplatin?

Cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancer carries a high risk of acute kidney injury, with reported incidences ranging from 20% to 69% depending on the cisplatin regimen and patient factors.

Full answer →