Clinical trials · California
Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 1,312 recruiting cancer 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
- NCT06948448RecruitingPhase 2
New treatment for advanced colorectal cancer with PD-L1 biomarker
This trial tests a new drug (ONO-4578) combined with standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy for people with advanced colorectal cancer that has not been treated before and has a specific marker called PD-L1. The goal is to see if this combination works better than the usual treatment.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07028489Recruiting
Studying a standard-care comparison group for advanced EGFR-mutant lung cancer
This trial collects information from people with a specific type of advanced lung cancer to create a comparison group. It helps researchers understand how well new treatments work without giving any experimental medicine.
Monterey, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03779854RecruitingPhase 2
Preventing graft-versus-host disease in kids after stem cell transplant
This trial tests whether removing certain immune cells (T cells) from the donor transplant can lower the risk of chronic graft-versus-host disease (long-term immune attack after transplant) in children and young adults with blood cancers. If you qualify, it may help improve transplant outcomes while tracking safety and side effects.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 6 months–26 years - NCT06937177RecruitingPhase 2
Testing mifomelatide to help maintain weight during chemo
This trial tests an investigational drug called mifomelatide (TCMCB07) to see if it can help people with newly diagnosed colorectal or pancreatic cancer maintain a healthy weight while receiving certain types of chemotherapy. You would give yourself a daily injection under the skin.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05633654RecruitingPhase 3
Test drug combo versus standard care for triple-negative breast cancer
This trial tests a cancer antibody-drug combination plus pembrolizumab (immunotherapy) versus standard treatment. It’s for people with triple-negative breast cancer that still has invasive disease in the breast or lymph nodes after surgery and chemotherapy before surgery.
Berkeley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07287917RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing a new drug combo for advanced breast cancer or melanoma
This trial tests a new combination of drugs (AMXT 1501, DFMO, and standard therapies) for people with advanced solid tumors, specifically breast cancer (ER+ HER2-) or melanoma that has progressed after other treatments. The goal is to see if this combination can help shrink tumors or slow their growth.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03193541Recruiting
Testing a urine blood test to check for bladder cancer risk
This trial checks whether a new lab test on urine can help sort out which people with small amounts of blood in the urine (microscopic hematuria) might have bladder cancer. It may help doctors evaluate symptoms more accurately and decide who needs further testing.
Long Beach, CaliforniaAges 18–90 - NCT03259867RecruitingPhase 2
TACE plus immune therapy for liver or stomach cancer
This trial tests a combination treatment using a targeted liver procedure plus an immune “checkpoint” medicine to slow cancer growth. It may help people with advanced liver cancer (HCC) or metastatic stomach cancer when standard treatments have not worked.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT03492671RecruitingPhase 2
Two chemotherapy drugs plus radiation before pancreatic surgery
This trial tests whether giving two already-approved chemotherapy drugs and radiation before surgery works better for localized pancreatic cancer. It’s meant for people whose cancer looks removable by surgery and who haven’t had prior pancreatic cancer treatment.
Loma Linda, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03516708RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Epacadostat with pre-op radiation for locally advanced rectal cancer
This trial studies whether adding epacadostat (a cancer drug) to standard pre-operative chemoradiation can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. It’s designed to see if the added treatment is safe and potentially more effective before surgery.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03774758Recruiting
Blood tests to estimate lung cancer risk over 3 years
This study looks for blood “biomarkers” (measurable signs in blood) that may help predict who is at higher or lower risk related to lung cancer. You would have blood samples taken and then be followed with visits for up to 3 years.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 40 years+ - NCT03804944RecruitingPhase 2
Vaccine trial for hormone-positive breast cancer
This Phase 2 study tests an individualized vaccine made from your tumor information to help your immune system fight hormone-positive breast cancer. You may be able to participate if you meet specific hormone-receptor, health, and treatment-timing requirements.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–90 - NCT03933670RecruitingPhase 2
MRI scan with special sugar to monitor prostate cancer on surveillance
This study uses a special MRI scan using “hyperpolarized” labeled pyruvate (a sugar-like substance) to see how prostate cancer may be behaving in people who are on active surveillance. It may help researchers monitor cancer without immediate treatment, by spotting changes earlier.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03990896RecruitingPhase 2
Talazoparib for metastatic breast cancer with BRCA body DNA changes
This Phase 2 trial tests talazoparib, a targeted cancer medicine, in people with metastatic breast cancer that has a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation found in tumor DNA circulating in the blood. If you qualify, the goal is to see how well this treatment works when the mutation is detected this specific way.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04020575RecruitingPhase 1
CAR T cells made from your blood for advanced breast cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests CAR T cells made from your own immune cells to target advanced breast cancer. The cells are designed to recognize a specific cancer marker (called MUC1*), with the goal of shrinking tumors or keeping them under control.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04038502RecruitingPhase 2
Testing carboplatin or olaparib for gene-linked prostate cancer
This Phase 2 study tests whether carboplatin or olaparib can help people with prostate cancer that has certain DNA repair gene changes. It’s designed for advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer that is growing despite standard hormone-blocking treatment.
West Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04119024RecruitingPhase 1
Gene-edited immune cells for advanced melanoma or solid tumors
This Phase 1 study tests a gene-modified immune cell treatment for advanced cancers that don’t have standard curative options. It may help by attacking cancer cells that show a specific marker called IL13Rα2 after patients receive “conditioning” chemotherapy to prepare the immune system.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04134559RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab for kids with liver cancer that came back
This trial studies pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) in children and young people with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that has returned or did not respond to earlier treatment. The goal is to see whether it can shrink tumors and help control the cancer.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges birth–30 years - NCT04216732Recruiting
Study of medullary thyroid cancer progression in a registry
This study follows people with medullary thyroid cancer to better understand how the disease changes over time, including in advanced stages. You may help improve future treatment planning and care for people with medullary thyroid cancer.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04221542RecruitingPhase 1
AMG 509 for advanced, hormone-resistant prostate cancer
This trial tests AMG 509, a study drug, in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (cancer that keeps growing despite lowering testosterone). It’s for people whose cancer has progressed after certain hormone tablets and possibly chemotherapy, aiming to shrink tumors and control the disease safely.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04297020Recruiting
Checking brain health in breast cancer survivors
This study looks at differences in brain function in people who have had breast cancer, compared with certain people without that history. It’s testing how brain health changes after breast cancer and relates to mood, thinking, and daily functioning.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 35–65 - NCT04302025RecruitingPhase 2
Testing targeted and immunotherapy before lung cancer surgery
This trial studies whether giving different cancer medicines before (and sometimes after) surgery improves outcomes for people with early-stage, operable lung cancer that has certain tumor markers. It may help by trying to shrink or control the cancer early and lower the chance it comes back.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04330521Recruiting
Cancer patients share experiences during the COVID-19 outbreak
This study asks adult cancer patients to complete a survey and talk in an interview about how COVID-19 affected their care and daily life. Your answers may help researchers understand what challenges cancer patients faced during the pandemic.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–99 - NCT04379596RecruitingPhase 2
Testing T-DXd combinations for HER2 stomach or esophagus cancer
This Phase 2 study tests how safe and effective T-DXd (an anti-cancer medicine) is in combination for people with advanced stomach/GEJ/esophagus cancer that is HER2-positive or HER2-low. It may help people whose cancer has spread or cannot be removed, depending on their prior treatments and test results.
Santa Monica, CaliforniaAges 18–130
Cancer trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting cancer studies listed above.
- University of California, San Francisco · 7 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 5 studies
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center · 4 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 3 studies
- Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian · 2 studies
- USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 2 studies
- Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
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 1,312 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.