Head and Neck Cancer Research and Clinical Trials
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is advancing head and neck cancer research through immunotherapy, clinical trials and discoveries that improve treatment and quality of life.
Researching Head and Neck Cancer Advancing Discovery Through Collaborative Research
Head and neck cancers represent a diverse group of diseases that affect critical functions such as speaking, swallowing and breathing. Continued research is helping physicians better understand these cancers and identify more effective, less invasive treatment approaches.
At Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, researchers, physicians and scientists work together to accelerate discoveries that can improve outcomes and quality of life for people with head and neck cancer. As Georgia's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winship plays an important role in advancing research that influences cancer care locally and nationally.
Head and Neck Cancer Research at Winship
Research at Winship is focused on improving how head and neck cancers are prevented, detected and treated. Our investigators are studying new immunotherapy approaches, treatment combinations and sequencing strategies designed to improve outcomes while reducing long-term side effects.
Head and neck cancer research extends beyond developing new therapies. Researchers are also investigating how tumor biology, biomarkers and patient characteristics influence treatment response. These studies help physicians make more informed treatment decisions and personalize care whenever possible.
Winship scientists also conduct outcomes research, analyzing large-scale data to better understand which treatments are most effective for different patient populations. These findings help guide future research and inform evidence-based care.
Through our translational research programs, discoveries made in the laboratory are transformed into innovative approaches that can be evaluated in the clinic, helping bring new ideas to patients more quickly.
Areas of Head and Neck Cancer Research
Winship researchers are advancing knowledge in several areas of head and neck cancer research, including:
- HPV-related head and neck cancers
- Immunotherapy and immune-based treatments
- Precision medicine and biomarker-driven care
- Treatment sequencing and combination therapies
- Head and neck cancer prevention and early detection
- Radiation therapy innovations
- Survivorship and quality-of-life research
- Symptom management and functional outcomes
- Outcomes and population health research
Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Trials
In addition to standard treatments, many patients with head and neck cancer at Winship may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial.
Clinical trials evaluate promising new approaches to preventing, diagnosing and treating disease and provide researchers with critical information about the safety and effectiveness of emerging therapies. They offer participants early access to novel treatments that are not yet commercially available.
Participating in Head and Neck Cancer Research
Winship offers access to both national clinical trials and research studies led by our own investigators. These studies explore new treatments as well as strategies to improve quality of life and reduce treatment-related side effects.
Because eligibility varies by diagnosis and treatment history, it is helpful to discuss clinical trial options with your care team early in the treatment process. Many studies are designed to complement established standards of care.
Winship welcomes trial participants from all over Georgia and throughout the Southeast. It’s best if you enroll from the very beginning, so let your doctor know on your first visit if you’re interested in learning more about a clinical trial.
Frequently Asked Questions About Head and Neck Cancer Research
Winship researchers study prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and quality-of-life issues related to head and neck cancer. Research includes immunotherapy, treatment sequencing, precision medicine and outcomes research.
Immunotherapy helps the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Researchers continue to study how immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments for head and neck cancers.
A clinical trial is a research study that evaluates new approaches to preventing, diagnosing or treating disease. Clinical trials help researchers determine whether new therapies are safe and effective.
Many patients may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Eligibility depends on factors such as diagnosis, stage of disease, treatment history and overall health.
Treatment sequencing refers to the order in which therapies are delivered. Researchers study sequencing strategies to determine when specific treatments may be most effective and how they can work together to improve outcomes.
No. Clinical trials are available for patients at many stages of care, including newly diagnosed patients. Some studies evaluate new therapies, while others focus on prevention, symptom management or survivorship.
Research helps improve treatment effectiveness, reduce side effects, identify new therapies and better understand how different types of head and neck cancer behave and respond to treatment.
Winship conducts head and neck cancer research at the following locations: