Research and clinical trials
Salivary gland cancer is rare and there are many different types. It is difficult to do research and carry out trials in a rare type of cancer as there may not be enough people with the same cancer type to join a trial. In this situation, researchers and doctors might organise a trial that recruits people from different countries.
Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for salivary gland cancer in the UK. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in.
When in the trials database, you can use the filters on the left to see open trials, those that are closed to recruitment and trials that have results.
Some of the trials on this page have now stopped recruiting people. It takes time before the results are available. This is because the trial team follow the patients for a period of time and collect and analyse the results. We have included this ongoing research to give examples of salivary gland cancer research.
All cancer treatments must be fully researched before everyone can use them. This is so we can be sure that:
they work
they work better than the treatments already available
they are safe
Doctors have been looking at using new and different scans for people with head and neck cancer during treatment, which includes looking at:
whether a combined PET-CT scan might give a better idea than other scans of how well the treatment is working
testing new MRI imaging and new ways to analyse the images
measuring the growth of blood vessels using a PET-CT scan and a PET- MR scan
Proton beam therapy is a type of radiotherapy. It uses high energy proton beams to treat cancer. Doctors think that proton beam therapy could have fewer side effects than standard radiotherapy.
A trial is looking at giving proton beam therapy after surgery for parotid gland cancer.
Read more about the PRONTO trial
and are common treatments for some types of cancer. Researchers are looking at different targeted cancer drugs and immunotherapy to treat salivary gland cancer. These drugs might be completely new or already used for other cancer types.
For salivary gland cancer, some of the drugs researchers are looking at include:
dabrafenib
entrectinib
larotrectinib
lenvatinib
pertuzumab
selpercatinib
trastuzumab
trametinib
pembrolizumab
Read more about targeted drugs and immunotherapy
Salivary gland cancer is a rare type of cancer. Researchers are looking at ways to improve treatment for people with a rare cancer that has grown into surrounding tissues or spread elsewhere in the body.
The DETERMINE trial is looking at matching targeted treatment to people with a rare cancer. It is also looking at matching targeted treatment to people with cancer that has a rare gene change (mutation) in the cancer cells.
You can find out more about this trial on our clinical trials database and also on the DETERMINE website.
Find out about the DETERMINE trial on our trials database
Researchers are looking at a new drug called tigilanol tigate. It is for people with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. The researchers inject the drug directly into the cancer. They want to see if it kills the cancer cells and to find out more about the side effects.
Treatment for head and neck cancer can sometimes cause side effects that are difficult to cope with. Researchers are looking at ways to relieve the side effects of treatment. And find out how they can best support people with salivary gland cancer.
It’s common for people with salivary gland cancer to have mouth problems caused by their cancer or the treatment. Researchers are looking at ways of preventing or improving symptoms such as:
dry mouth (xerostomia)
painful mouth (mucositis)
(difficulty opening your mouth (trismus)
Researchers want to develop a computer tool to predict a person’s risk of getting long term side effects. To do this, researchers are asking patients to fill in a questionnaire to record their side effects following radiotherapy.
Then in the future, they want to develop a computer tool that can predict a person’s risk of getting side effects. Doctors hope it will help patients and improve care in the future.
Our clinical trials database has information about UK clinical trials for salivary gland cancer and summaries of trial results.
Last reviewed: 08 Jun 2026
Next review due: 08 Jun 2029
Treatment for salivary gland cancer depends on where the cancer is, the size, whether it has spread anywhere else and your health.
Getting practical and emotional support can help you to cope with a diagnosis of salivary gland cancer. It can also help you with life during and after treatment.
Our clinical trials aim to find out if a new treatment or procedure is safe, is better than the current treatment or helps you feel better.
Salivary gland cancer can start in any of the glands that make spit (saliva). As well as 3 major pairs of salivary glands we have over 600 smaller, minor salivary glands throughout the lining of the mouth and throat.
There are many cancer drugs, cancer drug combinations and they have individual side effects.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Connect with other people affected by cancer and share your experiences.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
