Clinical Trials for Head And Neck Cancer

A Phase 1/2 Immunotherapy Study of Evofosfamide in Combination with Zalifrelimab and Balstilimab in Patients with Advanced Solid Malignancies

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: Adults with metastatic CRPC, pancreatic cancer, or HPV-negative SCCHN lacking effective options receive triplet therapy with evofosfamide (hypoxia-activated DNA crosslinking prodrug) plus zalifrelimab (anti–CTLA-4) and balstilimab (anti–PD-1). Open-label dose-escalation followed by disease-specific expansions; key exclusions include significant prior immune toxicity, active autoimmune disease, QTc ≥470 msec/TdP risk, uncontrolled CNS disease/infections, and use of strong/moderate CYP3A4 modulators or QT-prolonging drugs.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06782555

A Phase 1B/2, Open-label Study of Q702 in Combination With Intravenous Pembrolizumab in Patients With Selected Advanced Solid Tumors

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: Adults with advanced/metastatic esophageal, gastric/GEJ, hepatocellular, or cervical cancers that have progressed on prior anti–PD‑1/PD‑L1 therapy receive oral Q702 (adrixetinib), a selective AXL/MER/CSF1R inhibitor aimed at reprogramming the tumor microenvironment, in combination with IV pembrolizumab. Open‑label dose‑escalation followed by tumor‑specific expansion; key eligibility includes RECIST‑measurable disease and ECOG 0–1.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05438420

A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study of MK-2870 With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and Chemotherapy in Participants With 1L Locally Advanced Unresectable/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (Gastric Adenocarcinoma, Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma, and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma): Substudy 06C

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: First-line study in adults with HER2-negative (or not known positive) unresectable/metastatic gastric/GEJ/esophageal adenocarcinoma (ECOG 0–1) comparing pembrolizumab plus fluoropyrimidine/oxaliplatin chemotherapy versus the same backbone combined with sacituzumab tirumotecan (MK-2870), a TROP2-directed antibody–drug conjugate delivering a belotecan-derived topoisomerase I inhibitor. Safety lead-in determines RP2D, then randomized assessment of response, PFS, and OS.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06469944

A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of MK-2870 Plus Paclitaxel as the Second-Line Treatment of Participants With Advanced/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma: Substudy 06D

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: Adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic gastric/GEJ/esophageal adenocarcinoma after exactly one prior platinum/fluoropyrimidine regimen (HER2-negative or unknown) are randomized to sacituzumab tirumotecan (TROP2-directed ADC with a topoisomerase I payload) plus paclitaxel versus standard ramucirumab plus paclitaxel. Excludes squamous histology and patients with significant comorbidities (e.g., grade ≥2 neuropathy, ocular surface disease, active CNS mets, recent arterial events, prior VEGF/VEGFR therapy, or prior TROP2/topo I ADCs).

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06445972

A Phase 1B, Multicenter, Open-Label Study of the Safety and Efficacy of CHS-114 in Combination With Toripalimab With or Without Other Treatments in Participants With Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: Adults with unresectable, advanced/metastatic gastric/GEJ/esophageal adenocarcinoma (HER2‑negative, MSS/pMMR) in the 2L setting and ESCC in 1L or 2L receive the anti‑CCR8 monoclonal antibody CHS‑114 (depletes intratumoral CCR8+ Tregs via enhanced ADCC/ADCP) plus the PD‑1 inhibitor toripalimab, with cisplatin/5‑FU added in 1L ESCC. Requires measurable disease and tissue; excludes active CNS metastases and prior anti‑CCR8.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06657144

Phase I Trial of CA-4948 in Combination With FOLFOX/PD-1 Inhibitor +/- Trastuzumab for Untreated Unresectable Gastric and Esophageal Cancer

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: First-line treatment for adults with unresectable/metastatic gastric, GEJ, or esophageal adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma (ECOG 0–1), testing oral IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib (CA‑4948; targets TLR/IL‑1R→NF‑κB signaling, with FLT3/CLK activity) added to mFOLFOX7 plus PD‑1 blockade. HER2‑negative patients receive emavusertib + mFOLFOX7 + nivolumab; HER2‑positive patients receive emavusertib + mFOLFOX7 + pembrolizumab + trastuzumab.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05187182

A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study of Investigational Agents With or Without Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and/or Chemotherapy in Participants With Advanced Esophageal Cancer Previously Exposed to PD-1/PD-L1 Treatment (KEYMAKER-U06): Substudy 06B

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: Adults with metastatic or unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who progressed after one prior platinum regimen that included PD‑1/PD‑L1 therapy; compares standard second-line paclitaxel or irinotecan versus investigational sacituzumab tirumotecan (TROP2-directed topoisomerase I ADC), with previously planned pembrolizumab/MK‑4830 combinations closed to enrollment. Primary focus is safety and objective response with blinded central review, with secondary endpoints including PFS and OS.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05319730

Phase 1b/2a Study of RiMO-301 and Hypofractionated Radiotherapy With A PD-1 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Unresectable, Recurrent or Metastatic Head-Neck Cancer

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: Adults with unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma needing palliative RT and with an injectable lesion receive intratumoral RiMO-301 (hafnium-based radioenhancer) plus a PD-1 inhibitor (pembrolizumab or nivolumab) followed by hypofractionated radiotherapy. Suitable for ECOG 0–2 patients eligible for PD-1 therapy; excludes symptomatic CNS disease and active autoimmune conditions requiring recent systemic therapy.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05838729

Phase Ib/II Study of NT219 in Combination With Pembrolizumab or Cetuximab in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: Adults with recurrent/metastatic mucosal HNSCC (non‑NPC), ECOG 0–2, receive NT219 (a first‑in‑class dual IRS1/2 degrader and STAT3 inhibitor aimed at overcoming resistance via PI3K/AKT/STAT3 pathways) combined with either pembrolizumab (for PD‑1–eligible or previously PD‑1–benefiting patients; paired biopsies required) or cetuximab (for PD‑1–refractory or cetuximab‑eligible patients). Excludes active uncontrolled CNS disease and significant autoimmune/immunosuppression per cohort, with treatment until progression or intolerance.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06919666

A Phase 1 Study of CHS-114 in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

HealthScout AI summary: Adults with advanced/metastatic solid tumors (dose escalation) and recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after platinum and/or PD‑1/PD‑L1 therapy receive CHS‑114, an afucosylated anti‑CCR8 IgG1 designed to deplete intratumoral Tregs, as monotherapy or combined with the PD‑1 inhibitor toripalimab. Key inclusion: measurable disease, ECOG 0–1; HNSCC cohorts exclude nasopharyngeal primary and require tumor tissue; excludes prior anti‑CCR8 therapy and excessive prior lines per cohort.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05635643