(215) Geospatial Mapping and Characterization of Head and Neck Cancer Research

Introduction: To report geographic distribution and characteristics of head and neck cancer clinical trials in the United States.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of United States head and neck cancer clinical trials searching ClinicalTrials.gov from 01/01/2017 to 12/31/2021 using terms “head and neck cancer” or “head and neck neoplasms.”

Results: 381 clinical trials met inclusion criteria with 2,181 trial opportunities, which were correlated with population density. 72% of the United States population lives within a 25-mile radius of trials. 165 (43.3%) trials were about systemic therapy, of which 138 (83.6%) involved targeted/immunotherapy. Principal investigator specialty was 125 (32.8%) medical oncology, 78 (20.5%) otolaryngology, and 76 (19.9%) radiation oncology.

Conclusions: We demonstrate disparity in geographic distribution of head and neck cancer trials favoring densely populated urban areas, which may limit patient access due to travel burden. Studies are skewed towards immunotherapy drug trials, with fewer radiation and surgery investigations.