Clinical trials · California
Brain Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 34 recruiting brain cancer studies with a site in California — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT07827001Recruiting
Monitoring brain tumors during systemic treatment
This study tests whether it's safe to skip radiation and instead rely on a new systemic treatment (like immunotherapy or targeted therapy) to control brain tumors that have spread from other parts of the body. It might help you manage your disease while avoiding the side effects of radiation.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06583395Enrolling by invitation
Meditation retreat study with fitness tracker
This trial studies people attending a 7-day meditation retreat to see how meditation affects well-being. You will wear a fitness tracker and answer surveys.
Palm Desert, CaliforniaAges 21 years+ - NCT05366881Recruiting
Blood test study to spot early cancer signal and cancer leftovers
This observational study checks whether a blood test (a “cfDNA” test) can detect early signs of cancer or small amounts of cancer left after treatment. It may help doctors use a simple blood sample to improve cancer detection and follow-up.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 40 years+ - NCT06253871RecruitingPhase 1
Study of IAM1363 for HER2 Cancers
This trial tests a new oral drug called IAM1363 for people with HER2-altered cancers that have stopped responding to previous treatments. The goal is to see if the drug is safe and how well it works against these cancers.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05452005RecruitingPhase 1
PET scan with a new tracer for lung cancer brain metastases
This Phase 1 study tests whether a specialized PET scan tracer can “light up” metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the brain. If you join, you’ll get brain MRI and PET/CT scans and you’ll continue with your planned cancer treatments and follow-up imaging.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05987644RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Timing of brain radiation for ALK-positive lung cancer with brain mets
This trial tests whether it is better to delay brain radiation or give it right away in people with ALK-positive lung cancer that has spread to the brain and is causing few or no symptoms. If you are starting alectinib, you may be able to join and help find the best timing for radiation.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06764940RecruitingPhase 2
Utidelone and capecitabine for HER2-negative breast cancer with brain metastases
This trial tests if the combination of Utidelone and capecitabine can shrink brain metastases in people with HER2-negative breast cancer. It is designed for those whose cancer has spread to the brain and who have not had many prior treatments.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06580002RecruitingPhase 2
Can Riluzole Help with Chemo Brain? A Pilot Study
This study tests if a medicine called riluzole (currently used for ALS) can help with 'chemo brain' – memory and thinking problems after cancer treatment. It is for people who feel their mental sharpness has declined after breast cancer therapy, certain chemotherapies, or brain radiation.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03175224RecruitingPhase 2
Test drug APL-101 for lung or other tumors with MET changes
This Phase 2 study tests APL-101 to shrink advanced cancers that have certain MET-related changes, including specific MET mutations, MET gene amplification, or MET fusions. It may help people whose tumors have run out of standard treatment options.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05317858RecruitingPhase 3
Open the brain’s blood barrier to treat lung cancer brain spots
This trial tests whether using focused ultrasound to temporarily open the brain’s blood barrier—plus standard immune therapy—can better treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to the brain. It aims to help medicines reach the brain tumor spots more effectively, while still using the usual lung cancer treatment.
Newport Beach, CaliforniaAges 18–100 - NCT04343157RecruitingPhase 2
Image-guided radiation for brain tumors that protects thinking
This trial tests a special type of radiation therapy for brain tumors that aims to protect your memory and thinking skills. It may be an option if you have certain brain tumors or a small number of brain metastases.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05376878RecruitingPhase 4
PET/MRI scan to guide treatment in HER2+ brain metastatic breast cancer
This trial tests a special PET/MRI imaging scan using a labeled drug to help doctors evaluate HER2+ breast cancer that has spread to the brain. It focuses on patients who plan to receive fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan, a targeted cancer medicine, and aims to see how well the scan can support treatment decisions.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06047379RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing NEO212 for brain tumors and metastases
This trial tests a new drug called NEO212 for people with certain brain tumors (like astrocytoma or glioblastoma) or cancer that has spread to the brain from other parts of the body. The goal is to see if it is safe and if it can help shrink or control the tumors.
Beverly Hills, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07215910RecruitingPhase 3
Testing vorasidenib with temozolomide after radiation for advanced brain cancer
This trial tests whether adding the targeted drug vorasidenib to standard chemotherapy (temozolomide) after radiation helps people with a specific type of advanced brain cancer called IDH-mutant astrocytoma. It is for patients who have not had previous treatments like chemotherapy or radiation and whose tumors have certain genetic features.
Bakersfield, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT06319027RecruitingPhase 2
Can brain scans help predict glioblastoma progression?
This trial is testing whether certain details on brain scans can help doctors better predict how brain cancer (glioblastoma) will progress. You may be eligible if you are newly diagnosed with this type of cancer and plan to receive standard treatment.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05386108RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Test abemaciclib plus elacestrant for breast cancer brain spread
This trial studies whether the combination of abemaciclib and elacestrant can slow or shrink ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has spread to the brain. It is designed for people whose cancer has progressed despite prior hormone (endocrine) treatment.
Fullerton, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06810544RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of TNG456 for tumors with MTAP loss
This trial tests a new drug called TNG456, alone or with another drug (abemaciclib), for people whose tumors have lost the MTAP gene. It aims to see if the combination can shrink tumors or slow their growth.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07326566RecruitingPhase 2
Silevertinib and chemo for a type of glioblastoma
This trial tests a new drug, silevertinib, combined with temozolomide (a chemotherapy) for people with a newly diagnosed glioblastoma that has certain genetic markers. It aims to see if this combination works better than standard treatment for tumors with these specific features.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07506239Recruiting
Laser therapy for low-grade brain tumors in young people
This trial tests a laser treatment called LITT for low-grade glioma (a type of brain tumor) that has come back or is growing despite prior treatment. It aims to see if the laser is safe and effective in young people aged 2 to 25.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 2–25 - NCT05423860Recruiting
HALO prostate study for men with early prostate cancer
This trial studies HALO, a new “human analytics” approach, in men with early-stage prostate cancer. It may help doctors better assess or guide care using MRI and biopsy findings, before or around initial treatment.
Indian Wells, CaliforniaAges 45–90 - NCT04297020Recruiting
Checking brain health in breast cancer survivors
This study looks at differences in brain function in people who have had breast cancer, compared with certain people without that history. It’s testing how brain health changes after breast cancer and relates to mood, thinking, and daily functioning.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 35–65 - NCT03418961RecruitingPhase 3
Study of heart-risk management for metastatic HER2 breast cancer
This trial follows people with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who are at higher risk for heart damage while on HER2-targeted therapy. Some participants are randomly assigned to different monitoring/heart-protection approaches to see what best helps keep the heart safe.
Mission Hills, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07680439RecruitingPhase 2
CAR T cell therapy study for children with DIPG brain tumor
This trial tests a new CAR T cell therapy (BCB-276) for children and young adults with a type of brain tumor called DIPG. The therapy uses your own immune cells that are specially trained to attack the cancer.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 1–26 - NCT06458712RecruitingPhase 1
Testing a new drug for advanced cancers with gene changes
This study tests a new oral drug, DSB2455, for people with advanced breast, prostate, ovarian, or pancreatic cancers that have certain gene changes. It aims to see if the drug is safe and whether it helps shrink or control the cancer.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+
Brain Cancer trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting brain cancer studies listed above.
- City of Hope · 4 studies
- University of California, Irvine · 3 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 2 studies
- Kaiser Permanente Fresno · 2 studies
- Kaiser Permanente Medical Center - Santa Clara · 2 studies
- Kaiser Permanente Modesto · 2 studies
- Kaiser Permanente San Leandro · 2 studies
- Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento · 2 studies
What taking part in a brain cancer study involves
A screening visit first
Before anything else, the study team checks whether you fit — usually a visit with some tests. You can stop at any point, and screening is typically free.
Care at a nearby site
Study visits happen at a clinic or hospital taking part. Many studies cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits, and some reimburse travel.
You stay in control
Taking part is voluntary and you can leave a study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular care.
The team decides eligibility
Our fit check is a helpful first read, not a decision. The study team makes the final call after reviewing your health history.
Brain Cancer trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there brain cancer clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 34 recruiting brain cancer studies with a site in California, each rewritten in plain language so you can see what it's testing and who it's for.
- How do I find out if I qualify for a brain cancer study in California?
- Each study lists its eligibility rules — age, diagnosis, prior treatments. On every trial page we explain these in plain language and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Do I have to live in California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, but eligibility is about your health, not your address — some people travel to take part, and a few studies reimburse travel. The study team can tell you what's required.
- Does it cost anything to join a brain cancer trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what's covered before you decide.
Not the right time?
New brain cancer studies open in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.