title: Current status of clinical trials in head and neck cancer 2014.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The last few years have seen significant increase in the number of available clinical trials in head and neck cancer. It has been difficult to stay abreast of these efforts because multiple cooperative groups and institutions are engaged in their recruitment. This review presents the state of the art of available clinical trials organized around major research themes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published literature, published cooperative group monographs, expert review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Initial themes in head and neck cancer clinical trial development were first identified along with examples. Opinions from an international panel of multidisciplinary experts were then solicited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current major themes of head and neck clinical trials centered on 5 major themes: (1) recognition of human papillomavirus oropharynx cancer and optimal treatment strategies, (2) defining the role of transoral surgery in head and neck cancer treatment, (3) improving postoperative adjuvant treatment, (4) investigation of rare malignancies, and (5) the importance of biomarker-driven, innovative, and targeted therapy investigation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A number of exciting clinical trials are currently in development or accrual with the potential for tremendous impact and improvement of the treatment of head and neck cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness by practicing otolaryngologists and trainees of these current themes will be essential for study accrual, success, and improvement in the care of head and neck cancer.
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Surgery Section, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Department of Otolaryngology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Jeffrey.Liu@temple.edu.
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Surgery Section, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ridge
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Brizel
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Moores Cancer Center, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Ezra W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Bhupinder S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.affiliation: Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Adelstein
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: clinical trial; head and neck neoplasms; human papilloma virus; oropharyngeal carcinoma; review