UK clinical trials - updated daily from ClinicalTrials.gov
Find clinical trials for head and neck cancer in the United Kingdom. Explore treatment pathways including immunotherapy and targeted radiation.
Head and neck cancers affect ~12,000 people per year in the UK. They include cancers of the mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), and salivary glands. Most are squamous cell carcinomas. HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer (throat) is increasing and generally has better outcomes than HPV-negative disease. Treatment can affect speech, swallowing, and appearance, making quality of life a key research focus.
Early stage: surgery or radiotherapy alone. Locally advanced: chemoradiation (cisplatin + radiotherapy) or surgery followed by radiotherapy ± chemotherapy. Recurrent/metastatic: immunotherapy with pembrolizumab (with or without chemotherapy) is now first-line based on KEYNOTE-048. Cetuximab (anti-EGFR) remains an option for patients who cannot have cisplatin.
Active UK trials include: de-intensification of treatment for HPV-positive disease (fewer side effects), immunotherapy combinations, new radiation techniques (proton therapy), robotic surgery, and quality of life preservation approaches. The NHS has dedicated head and neck cancer multidisciplinary teams at major centres.
Free AI-powered matching - no signup required
Search oral cancer Trials →