Clinical trials · Boston, MA
Cancer clinical trials in Boston
We’re tracking 801 recruiting cancer studies with a site in or near Boston — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2, Phase 2/Phase 3 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies near Boston
- NCT04883671Recruiting
SBRT to treat a few spots of adenoid cystic cancer
This trial tests whether focused radiation (SBRT) can help control adenoid cystic carcinoma that has spread to a small number of places (oligometastatic disease). If you qualify, the study will treat up to 1–5 metastatic spots that doctors think can be safely targeted, to help control the cancer locally.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05281237Recruiting
Microwave ablation for small early lung cancer nodules
This trial studies a flexible “microwave heating” probe placed through the airways to treat small lung cancer nodules. It may help some patients avoid more invasive treatment by destroying the tumor during a bronchoscopy procedure.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 22 years+ - NCT04900818RecruitingPhase 1
Givastomig for advanced solid cancers, including gastric and pancreas
This Phase 1 trial tests how safe and effective givastomig (TJ033721) is for advanced or metastatic solid tumors. It may help people whose cancer has grown despite standard treatment, or—if in the combination parts—specific cancers that meet certain lab test and tumor-marker requirements.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04804644RecruitingPhase 3
Memory-sparing radiation for brain metastases in small cell lung cancer
This study tests whether focusing high-dose radiation only on brain tumor spots, while avoiding the hippocampus (a brain area important for memory), helps protect memory and thinking compared with standard whole-brain radiation. It’s for people with small cell lung cancer that has spread to the brain.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04671667RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab vs chemo-radiation after surgery for recurrent head/neck cancer
This trial tests whether pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) works better than the usual chemo plus radiation after surgery for cancer that has come back in the head and neck area. It may help reduce cancer returning or spreading by using your immune system, but eligibility depends on how the cancer came back and your prior treatments.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–79 - NCT05482893RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Spevatamig for advanced stomach, pancreas, or bile duct cancer
This trial tests a new drug called Spevatamig (PT886), alone or with different chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy combinations, for people with certain advanced stomach, pancreatic, or bile duct cancers. The goal is to see if it shrinks tumors and is safe.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04929223RecruitingPhase 1
Targeted drug study for metastatic colon or rectal cancer
This Phase 1 study tests targeted cancer treatments in people with metastatic colorectal cancer, using genetic “biomarker” results to match you to the right treatment group. It focuses first on safety, and also looks for early signs the treatment may work in specific tumor subgroups.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04665739RecruitingPhase 2
Lutetium Lu-177 for lung carcinoid tumors with somatostatin receptors
This trial tests lutetium Lu 177 dotatate, a targeted radiation treatment, for advanced lung neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors that have a specific marker called somatostatin receptors. It may help shrink tumors by delivering radiation directly to cancer cells that “light up” on a special scan.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05136196RecruitingPhase 2
Cabozantinib plus nivolumab for advanced melanoma or head-neck cancer
This trial tests whether combining two immunotherapy medicines—cabozantinib and nivolumab—can shrink advanced melanoma or certain head-and-neck squamous cell cancers. It is mainly for people whose cancer has grown after prior PD-1 treatment.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04634357RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing donor-like immune T cells for children with liver cancer
This Phase 1/2 trial tests an immune-cell treatment (ET140203 T cells) in children and teens with certain liver cancers that have come back or did not respond to standard treatment. It aims to see whether these T cells can shrink tumors and is mainly focused on safety and early effectiveness.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 1–21 - NCT04792684Recruiting
Collecting colon samples from adults with colon findings
This study collects body samples to help evaluate tests for people with suspected or newly diagnosed colorectal conditions, often around the time of colonoscopy or surgery. Depending on the arm, you may be asked to have a colonoscopy soon or to provide samples before planned surgery.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 45–84 - NCT05501704RecruitingPhase 2
Testosterone-blocking therapy for male breast cancer
This Phase 2 study tests an oral treatment (called “ET”) to treat hormone-receptor–positive, HER2-negative invasive breast cancer in men. It may help shrink or control cancer without using standard cancer treatments first.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04630496Recruiting
Walk Test Before Lung Surgery for Older Adults
This study is looking at a “walk and movement” challenge for older adults preparing for thoracic (chest) surgery. It may help the team understand mobility and support safer care before surgery.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 65 years+ - NCT04899908RecruitingPhase 2
Brain radiation with or without gadolinium nanoparticles for brain metastases
This trial tests whether adding tiny gadolinium-containing nanoparticles to standard brain radiation can better control brain metastases from certain cancers. It is for people with tumors that have grown after immunotherapy, are from certain cancers (like melanoma, GI, or HER2+ breast), are cystic, are large, or have come back after prior radiation.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05010005RecruitingPhase 1
Testing ruxolitinib plus duvelisib for relapsed T-cell lymphoma
This Phase 1 study tests how safe and effective ruxolitinib plus duvelisib are in adults with certain types of mature T-cell lymphomas. You may be considered if your lymphoma has come back or worsened despite prior treatment, and the study checks whether this pill combination can help control the disease.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04841148RecruitingPhase 2
Avelumab or hydroxychloroquine to target hidden breast cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests whether adding different medicines—either avelumab or hydroxychloroquine, with or without palbociclib—can eliminate dormant “leftover” breast cancer cells. It’s meant for people with hormone-receptor–positive breast cancer who have no visible cancer now, but still have detectable dormant cells in the bone marrow.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04706663Recruiting
Genomics-guided treatment for people with prostate cancer
This trial uses genetic test results from your prostate cancer to guide treatment choices. It may help find therapies that better match the specific gene changes in your cancer.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–120 - NCT05168930RecruitingPhase 2
Zanubrutinib plus venetoclax for relapsed CLL or SLL
This Phase 2 study tests how well zanubrutinib (a targeted pill) combined with venetoclax (another targeted pill) works for adults with CLL/SLL that came back or progressed after prior treatment. It may help by stopping cancer cells through two different pathways, aiming to shrink disease and improve blood counts.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04900935Recruiting
Survivorship and palliative care planning for metastatic lung cancer
This study tests a more patient-centered way to plan survivorship care and comfort (palliative) care for people with metastatic lung cancer. It may help you get support that matches your goals, especially alongside your current targeted treatment.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04504604Recruiting
Study matching rare cancer care with tumor DNA testing
This study looks at people with rare solid tumors or lymphoma to understand their cancer’s genetic changes. It collects blood and existing tissue samples (from standard care) for DNA testing and gathers health information to help improve knowledge about rare cancers.
Cambridge, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05245500RecruitingPhase 1
Study drug for solid tumors with MTAP gene deletion
This Phase 1 trial studies MRTX1719, a new medicine, in solid tumors that have a missing MTAP gene (MTAP deletion). It aims to find the safest dose and check how the drug affects the tumor.
Brookline, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03851445RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Lung cancer screening trial using tumor and blood test results
This trial helps sort people with previously treated lung cancer into the best next treatment options by using new tumor tissue (and sometimes blood) test results. It may help you get matched to therapies based on features like PD-L1 and other biomarkers.
Jamaica Plain, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05334069Recruiting
Blood test study for early cancer detection in patients
This study collects blood from people with cancer and people without cancer (or with possible cancer) to test whether new blood tests can detect cancer earlier. Your blood samples help researchers evaluate how well these tests work.
Jamaica Plain, MassachusettsAges 40–75 - NCT04185935Recruiting
Genetic study of cancer in patients and their families
This study looks at DNA patterns in families where cancer may run in families, to better understand inherited (passed-down) cancer risk. You may be able to help even if you’re not sure whether your cancer is genetic—your family history and, if needed, medical records or tumor samples can be used.
Brighton, MassachusettsAges Any age
Hear when a new Cancer trial opens near Boston, MA
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Cancer trials in other cities
Where these studies are running near Boston
Institutions with a site for the recruiting cancer studies listed above.
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute · 12 studies
- Brigham and Women's Hospital · 3 studies
- Massachusetts General Hospital · 3 studies
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · 2 studies
- Providence Veterans Administration Hospital · 2 studies
- Solinsky Center for Cancer Care · 2 studies
- Tufts Medical Center · 2 studies
- VA Boston Healthcare System · 2 studies
What taking part in a 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.
Looking wider? See all recruiting cancer studies in Massachusetts.
Common questions
- Are there cancer clinical trials near Boston?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 801 recruiting cancer studies with a site near Boston, 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 cancer study near Boston?
- 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 Boston to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site near Boston, 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 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 cancer studies open near Boston regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.