Clinical trials · California
Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 1,320 recruiting cancer studies with a site in California — 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 in California
- NCT04606914RecruitingPhase 2
Carboplatin plus mirvetuximab for advanced ovarian cancer after chemo
This Phase 2 study tests adding mirvetuximab to carboplatin for people with advanced, high-grade serous ovarian cancer who will first receive “neoadjuvant” chemotherapy. It is designed for tumors that strongly show FRα, which mirvetuximab targets, to see if this improves outcomes.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04510597RecruitingPhase 3
Immunotherapy plus surgery versus immunotherapy alone for kidney cancer
This study tests whether adding surgery to remove the kidney improves outcomes compared with continuing immunotherapy without surgery. It is for people with metastatic kidney cancer whose disease has not worsened after initial immunotherapy.
Arroyo Grande, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04423211RecruitingPhase 3
Surgery-recovered prostate cancer treated with PET-guided radiation
This trial tests whether adding targeted radiation guided by a PET scan (along with hormone therapy) can improve outcomes for prostate cancer that has come back after surgery. The PET scan helps doctors look for spots outside the usual radiation area so treatment can be tailored.
Corona, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04410796RecruitingPhase 2
Osimertinib alone or with chemo for EGFR-mutant lung cancer
This trial tests whether osimertinib alone is as good as osimertinib plus chemotherapy for lung cancers that have a specific EGFR mutation. It may help by improving how well the cancer responds and slows growth in people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04421820RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
BOLD-100 with chemo for advanced gut cancer
This Phase 1/2 study tests whether BOLD-100, given with the standard chemo combination FOLFOX, can help people with advanced gastrointestinal cancers. It’s especially focused on specific tumor features (including BRAF status) and checks safety, dosing, and early signs of effectiveness.
Santa Monica, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04429542RecruitingPhase 1
Test of an EGFR-targeting drug for advanced solid cancers
This Phase 1 study tests the safety of BCA101 (an EGFR-targeting treatment) alone or combined with pembrolizumab. It may help people with certain EGFR-driven advanced cancers, depending on the tumor type, prior treatments, and required biopsy testing.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04333706RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Sarilumab plus capecitabine for certain breast cancers
This trial studies whether adding sarilumab to capecitabine can shrink or control metastatic or high-risk breast cancer that lacks HER2 and is either triple-negative or hormone-resistant. It aims to find a safe dose first, then look at how well the treatment works compared with historical results.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–99 - NCT04333537RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Sentinel node biopsy versus standard neck surgery for early mouth cancer
This trial compares two ways of checking whether early oral cavity squamous cell cancer has spread to neck lymph nodes. It tests whether sentinel lymph node biopsy can find spread as well as standard neck dissection, while potentially reducing more extensive surgery for some people.
San Jose, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03816345RecruitingPhase 1
Nivolumab for advanced cancer with autoimmune disease
This trial tests whether the immunotherapy drug nivolumab can safely treat advanced cancer in people who also have an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis. It aims to find out if the drug may help control cancer while managing their autoimmune condition.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 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.
Fullerton, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03821246RecruitingPhase 2
Atezolizumab and other drugs before prostate surgery for high-risk cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests whether giving immunotherapy (atezolizumab) plus another drug before surgery can shrink or control high-risk localized prostate cancer. The goal is to improve outcomes by treating the cancer early, before radical prostatectomy.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03606967RecruitingPhase 2
Individualized vaccine added to standard treatment for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests whether adding a personalized cancer vaccine to durvalumab (an immunotherapy), tremelimumab (another immunotherapy), and chemotherapy can improve outcomes for people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. It may help your immune system recognize your specific tumor features.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03686124RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Tested immune therapy for certain HLA-A2 positive solid tumors
This trial studies an immune-based cancer treatment (IMA203/IMA203CD8) either alone or with nivolumab in people whose solid tumors have come back or will not respond to standard care. It may help by training the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells that match the trial’s test requirements.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03460977RecruitingPhase 1
Mevrometostat trial for hormone-resistant prostate cancer
This Phase 1 study tests mevrometostat (PF 06821497) in people with castration-resistant prostate cancer to see if it’s safe and how the body responds to it. It may be an option if your cancer is no longer controlled by hormone therapy and your organ health tests are within limits.
Anaheim, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03503240Enrolling by invitation
Skin cancer surgery study about satisfaction, scars, and quality of life
This study asks people who had skin cancer surgery about how they feel about their appearance, their scar healing, and their quality of life. It may help doctors understand what outcomes matter most to patients after skin cancer treatment.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 21 years+ - NCT03151629Recruiting
Registry for men with advanced prostate cancer
This study is a worldwide registry that collects health information from men with advanced prostate cancer. It may help researchers better understand disease patterns and outcomes, which can guide future treatments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 21 years+ - NCT02970045Recruiting
USC care program for cancer patients enrolled at Norris
This trial is part of a cancer care program for people receiving outpatient or inpatient care at USC Norris. It helps enroll patients into the program’s care and research paperwork, with consent available in English or Spanish.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT01766297RecruitingPhase 2
Proton radiation after lumpectomy for early breast cancer
This trial studies a type of radiation made with protons to treat only part of the breast after surgery (lumpectomy) for early-stage breast cancer. It may help control the cancer while aiming to reduce radiation to surrounding tissues.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 50 years+ - NCT01518400Recruiting
Sharing childhood cancer history to improve survivor care
This study builds a database of people who were diagnosed with cancer as children or teens. It looks at survivors who are done with treatment and currently have no evidence of disease, to help improve long-term follow-up care.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT01514045Recruiting
Gastric cancer registry for patients and certain family members
This study builds a registry (a secure database) to learn about people with gastric cancer, people at higher risk because of family history, and people with a specific inherited gene change. Being in the registry may help researchers understand causes and improve future care.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT00949819Recruiting
Active surveillance study for localized prostate cancer
This trial studies a “watchful waiting” approach, where doctors closely monitor certain prostate cancers with regular checkups and repeat biopsies. It may help people avoid or delay treatment side effects while watching for signs the cancer needs treatment.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 30–85 - NCT00900198Recruiting
Give cancer tissue samples to help future cancer research
This study collects tissue or other cancer-related samples to help researchers better understand cancer and develop better tests or treatments. You can join if you are being evaluated for or treated for cancer, and you agree to let your samples be used for research.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 2 months+ - NCT06879041RecruitingPhase 1
Study of a radioactive drug for advanced prostate cancer
This study tests a new radioactive drug, [225Ac]-AZD2284, for men with prostate cancer that has spread and no longer responds to hormone therapy. The drug is designed to target cancer cells and deliver radiation directly to them, potentially slowing the cancer's growth.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07168993Recruiting
Sputum test for lung cancer in high-risk people with lung nodules
This study tests a new, non-invasive test that looks at a sputum (phlegm) sample to see if it can detect lung cancer in people who have a lung nodule. The test might help avoid more invasive procedures and help doctors decide next steps.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 50–80
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
- University of California, Davis · 5 studies
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center · 4 studies
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 4 studies
- City of Hope South Pasadena · 3 studies
- City of Hope Upland · 3 studies
- Stanford University · 3 studies
- UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center · 3 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 1,320 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.