Clinical trials · California
Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 1,311 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
Study drug for TP53 Y220C-mutated advanced cancers
This early-phase study tests PC14586 (rezatapopt) in people with advanced or metastatic solid cancers that carry a specific TP53 mutation called Y220C. It mainly looks at safety and how well the treatment may work, sometimes combined with pembrolizumab.
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 - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - NCT05579366RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study drug for advanced ovarian and other solid cancers
This Phase 1/2 trial studies Rinatabart Sesutecan to treat advanced cancers, with special focus on certain ovarian cancer types. It’s meant for people whose cancer has come back or has not responded to prior treatments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04221893Recruiting
Radiation therapy for metastatic gastrointestinal cancers
This trial tests whether adding radiation therapy to your current immunotherapy can help control cancer that has spread in the digestive system. It aims to improve symptoms and possibly slow the cancer's growth.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Arcadia, 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+ - NCT05983432RecruitingPhase 1
Study of BL-B01D1 for advanced lung and other solid tumors
This trial tests an experimental drug called BL-B01D1 for people with several types of advanced solid tumors, especially non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. It's designed for those whose cancer has continued to grow after standard treatments.
Orange, 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+ - 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+ - NCT06172478RecruitingPhase 2
HER3-DXd for advanced solid tumors after prior treatment
This trial tests a new targeted drug called HER3-DXd for people with several types of advanced solid tumors that have stopped responding to standard treatments. The drug is an antibody-drug conjugate, designed to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells that have a protein called HER3 on their surface.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06465069RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a new drug for advanced bladder and other solid tumors
This study tests a new drug (LY4052031) for people with several types of advanced solid tumors, especially bladder cancer. It aims to see if the drug is safe and effective when given alone or after other treatments have stopped working.
Duarte, 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 Comprehensive Cancer Center · 7 studies
- Providence Medical Foundation · 4 studies
- City of Hope · 3 studies
- City of Hope National Medical Center · 2 studies
- City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center · 2 studies
- John Muir Health · 2 studies
- Mercy Cancer Center - Elk Grove · 2 studies
- Mercy Cancer Center - Rocklin · 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 1,311 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.