Clinical trials · California
Brain Tumor clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 27 recruiting brain tumor studies with a site in California — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT04427384Recruiting
Brain tumor patients treated with GammaTiles registry
This study is a patient registry for people with brain tumors who had surgery to remove as much as safely possible and then had GammaTiles placed. It mainly collects information and follow-up imaging to understand how patients do after the treatment.
Castro Valley, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT07087002RecruitingPhase 1
GPC2-CAR T cells for children and young adults with relapsed medulloblastoma
This trial tests a new type of cell therapy called GPC2-CAR T cells for children and young adults whose medulloblastoma or related brain tumor has come back or not responded to standard treatment. The goal is to see if these specially designed immune cells can find and attack the tumor.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 1–30 - 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 - 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 - NCT04510051RecruitingPhase 1
CAR T cell therapy for IL13Rα2 positive pediatric brain tumors
This Phase 1 study tests a type of immune therapy (CAR T cells) for children with brain tumors that come back or do not respond to standard treatment. The cells are given after chemotherapy that temporarily lowers the body’s immune system, which may help the CAR T cells work better.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 4–25 - NCT06650163RecruitingPhase 1
New imaging test for brain tumor surgery planning
This trial tests a new kind of PET scan that uses a special tracer (Zr-89 crefmirlimab berdoxam) to help doctors see brain tumors more clearly before surgery. If you are scheduled to have your brain tumor removed, this scan may give your surgeon extra information to guide the operation.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 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+ - NCT07418775Recruiting
Meningioma Study: Genes, Health & Life
This study looks at how your tumor's genes, personal health habits, and other factors affect your long-term health after a meningioma diagnosis. You'll be asked to complete surveys about your health and experiences—no new treatments or procedures are involved.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06146725Recruiting
Resection vs. biopsy in high-grade glioma patients
This study compares whether having surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible (resection) or just taking a small sample (biopsy) leads to better outcomes for people with a fast-growing brain tumor (high-grade glioma). The goal is to help guide treatment decisions.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–90 - NCT06273176Recruiting
Surgery with or without brain mapping for recurrent glioblastoma
This study is testing whether using a special brain-mapping technique during surgery helps people with recurrent glioblastoma. It compares standard surgery to surgery with mapping to see if it leads to better outcomes for tumors near important brain areas.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges Up to 90 years - NCT07339085Recruiting
Advanced MRI for brain tumor recurrence or radiation damage
This study uses advanced MRI scans to better tell the difference between a returning brain tumor and radiation injury. It may help guide your treatment decisions.
Los Angeles, 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.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04684368RecruitingPhase 2
New treatment study for children and young adults with NGGCT brain tumors
This Phase 2 study tests a new treatment approach for certain brain tumors called NGGCT in children and young adults. It may help improve outcomes by targeting tumors in specific brain locations and using tumor marker tests to guide care.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 3–29 - NCT05697874Recruiting
Rare brain tumor registry for children and young adults
This study is a global registry that collects information about people with rare or hard-to-classify brain tumors (including certain genetic tumor changes). It helps researchers learn more about these tumors and may guide future studies and treatments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges Up to 45 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+ - NCT05432804RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Selinexor added to temozolomide for recurring brain glioblastoma
This trial studies whether adding selinexor to the standard chemotherapy temozolomide (with radiation) can better treat glioblastoma that has come back after prior treatment. If you meet specific tumor, health, and lab requirements, the goal is to slow tumor growth or improve symptoms.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05576103Recruiting
Study of brain tumor thinking and MRI during radiation
This study follows adults with a primary brain tumor to understand how thinking skills and brain images change over time during radiation therapy. It may help researchers measure treatment effects and better track brain changes.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–99 - NCT06059690RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Imaging brain tumors to guide glioblastoma treatment
This trial studies a special imaging scan that combines MRI and PET to find active tumor areas in patients with glioblastoma. It aims to see if the scan can help identify the most aggressive parts of the tumor for surgery.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06090903Recruiting
MRI Study to Understand Glioblastoma Biology Before Surgery
This study uses MRI scans to learn more about the biology of glioblastoma before and after surgery. It may help doctors understand how the tumor behaves and improve future treatments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04085887RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Uses a targeted dye to help find brain tumors during surgery
This early-stage trial tests whether an injected medicine with a glowing dye (panitumumab-IRDye800) can help doctors better see pediatric brain tumors during planned surgery. If it works, it may help surgeons remove more tumor tissue safely.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 6 months–25 years - NCT05435859Enrolling by invitation
Mapping the brain area for speech during surgery
This study uses tiny brain electrodes placed during surgery to better understand how a brain region helps with speech. The results may guide safer brain mapping during surgery for people with epilepsy or brain tumors.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT05014841Enrolling by invitation
Brain electrode study of speech across different languages
This study uses electrodes placed on the brain during surgery to understand how speech is represented in different languages. It may help doctors better map language areas and improve surgical planning for people having brain surgery.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT05057702Recruiting
Personalized surgery-focused treatment plan for relapsed brain cancer
This study tests a personalized treatment plan for children and young adults whose medulloblastoma or ependymoma has come back. It aims to guide doctors using new tissue from surgery or biopsy after earlier treatments are fully finished.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 1–39 - NCT05124912Recruiting
Laser treatment for recurrent brain metastases after prior SRS
This study tests whether repeating treatment with a laser (along with a small biopsy) can control brain metastases that have come back after earlier radiation called SRS. It may help people whose cancer is stable enough for surgery and who have a specific, reachable brain spot to target.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+
Brain Tumor trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting brain tumor studies listed above.
- University of California, San Francisco · 9 studies
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles · 5 studies
- UCLA / Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center · 3 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 3 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 2 studies
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center · 2 studies
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford · 2 studies
- Rady Children's Hospital San Diego · 2 studies
What taking part in a brain tumor 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 Tumor trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there brain tumor clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 27 recruiting brain tumor 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 tumor 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 tumor 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 tumor 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.