Clinical trials · California
Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 1,318 recruiting cancer studies with a site in California — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2 and Phase 2 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT04907643Recruiting
Virtual reality program to reduce stomach-cancer pain
This trial tests whether virtual reality (VR) can improve pain and other day-to-day symptoms in people with certain gastrointestinal cancers. You’d use VR for pain relief while researchers measure how you’re feeling.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–99 - 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.
Arroyo Grande, CaliforniaAges 40–75 - NCT06268665RecruitingPhase 2
Tart Cherry Juice for Preventing Nerve Damage from Chemotherapy
This study tests whether tart cherry juice can help prevent nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) caused by the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel. Participants drink tart cherry juice daily during their 12 weeks of paclitaxel treatment.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03452774Recruiting
AI matches your cancer tests to possible treatment trials
This trial uses an AI system to help match people with certain cancer types and specific tumor test results (like gene or protein markers) to relevant clinical trials. It may help you and your doctor find studies that fit your cancer biology faster.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT07124000Recruiting
T-DXd for advanced HER2-positive solid tumors
This trial is for people with advanced HER2-positive solid tumors (cancers that cannot be removed by surgery or have spread). It tests the drug T-DXd (also called Enhertu) when your doctor has already decided it's the right treatment for you and you have no other good options.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–130 - NCT04585750RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Studying a new drug for cancers with a specific TP53 change
This trial tests a new drug (rezatapopt) for people with advanced cancers that have a specific change in the TP53 gene, called Y220C. The drug is designed to target this change and may slow or stop cancer growth. Some participants may also receive an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab (Keytruda).
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT05086692RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Beta-only IL-2 therapy for advanced solid tumors
This Phase 1/2 study tests a beta-only version of IL-2, an immune-stimulating treatment, to shrink or control advanced or metastatic solid tumors. It’s mainly designed to check safety and to see if it can help patients by improving tumor response.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03556228RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Tested medicine for tumors with TrkA changes, alone or with pembrolizumab
This early-phase study tests VMD-928, a targeted cancer medicine, for cancers that have TrkA-related tumor changes. It may be given by itself or with pembrolizumab to see if it can shrink tumors when standard treatments have not worked.
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT07059884Recruiting
Exercise program to help people with cancer stay active
This trial tests a distance-based exercise program designed to help people on chemotherapy maintain their physical function and prevent disability. It is for patients with certain cancers who are working full-time and can participate in moderate physical activity.
Dublin, CaliforniaAges 18 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+ - NCT06242470RecruitingPhase 1
Study of MGC026 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called MGC026 that targets a protein called B7-H3 on cancer cells, aiming to shrink or slow different advanced solid tumors. It is an early-phase study to find the right dose and check safety.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04329494RecruitingPhase 1
Study of targeted drug delivery into the abdomen using PIPAC
This Phase 1 trial tests PIPAC, a way to deliver anti-cancer medicine directly into the abdomen using a minimally invasive procedure. It is for people with peritoneal spread from certain cancers to see whether this approach is safe and potentially helpful.
Duarte, 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+ - NCT04660760RecruitingPhase 2
Comparing two treatments for advanced stomach cancer after first treatment
This study tests two different treatment options for advanced stomach or gastroesophageal junction cancer that has grown after earlier chemotherapy. One option combines a targeted therapy (ramucirumab) with a chemotherapy pill (trifluridine/tipiracil), and the other is a standard chemotherapy drug (paclitaxel). The goal is to see which approach works better for people whose cancer has progressed, with the hope of improving outcomes.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05579366RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of rinatabart sesutecan for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests an investigational drug called rinatabart sesutecan (also known as Rina-S) for people with advanced solid tumors, including ovarian, endometrial, lung, breast, and other cancers. The drug is designed to target and kill cancer cells, and the study aims to see if it is safe and effective.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04589468Recruiting
Exercise for cancer survivors at high risk
This study tests whether a structured exercise program can help prevent cancer from coming back in people who have been treated for certain solid tumors (colorectal, ovarian, lung, or breast cancer). If you've completed surgery and adjuvant therapy within the past 2 years and are currently not exercising much, you may be eligible. Participation involves following an exercise plan and regular check-ins.
Durate, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07143487Recruiting
Family communication after genetic testing for colon cancer
This trial studies how patients with newly diagnosed colon cancer share genetic test results with their family members. It aims to improve communication and support after learning about hereditary risk.
Arroyo Grande, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04794322Recruiting
Testing uterine fluid to help detect ovarian cancer
This study checks whether a sample of fluid from the uterus (uterine lavage) can help detect ovarian or fallopian tube cancer. You may join if you are having certain gynecologic surgeries or, in a smaller group, you have a BRCA1/2 mutation.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 30 years+ - NCT06590857RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of targeted radiation for advanced breast cancer
This trial tests a new type of radiation therapy that targets a specific protein on some breast cancer cells. It may help people whose cancer has stopped responding to other treatments.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT07741968Recruiting
Online program to ease fear of cancer returning
This study tests an online program designed to help women with advanced or certain types of breast or gynecologic cancer manage their fear of the disease progressing or returning. The program aims to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
Lancaster, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07595874RecruitingPhase 2
New Immunotherapy Drugs Before Surgery for Advanced Colorectal Cancer
This trial tests two immunotherapy drugs (botensilimab and balstilimab) given before surgery to treat advanced colorectal cancer that can be removed. The goal is to help the immune system fight cancer cells and improve outcomes after surgery.
Corona, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07156227RecruitingPhase 1
Testing camonsertib with radiation for returning head and neck cancer
This study tests whether adding the drug camonsertib to radiation therapy can help people whose head and neck cancer has come back in a spot that was already treated with radiation. Camonsertib is an experimental drug that may help radiation work better.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06532279RecruitingPhase 2
Testing BMX-001 with chemoradiation for head and neck cancer
This trial tests whether adding BMX-001 (a drug that may protect healthy tissues) to standard chemoradiation can reduce side effects and improve outcomes for people with head and neck cancer. It's a randomized study, so you would have a 50/50 chance of getting BMX-001 or a placebo.
Buena Park, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06388967Recruiting
Pancreatic cancer detection study
This study is looking at blood or tissue samples from people with pancreatic cancer and from those without it. The goal is to find ways to detect the cancer earlier.
Monrovia, CaliforniaAges 18 years+
Cancer trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting cancer studies listed above.
- City of Hope · 5 studies
- City of Hope at Irvine Lennar · 3 studies
- Providence Medical Foundation - Santa Rosa · 3 studies
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 3 studies
- City of Hope Medical Center · 2 studies
- Mercy Cancer Center - Elk Grove · 2 studies
- Mercy Cancer Center - Rocklin · 2 studies
- Mercy Cancer Center - Sacramento · 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.
Cancer trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there cancer clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 1,318 recruiting 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 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 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 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.