Clinical trials · California
Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 1,320 recruiting cancer studies with a site in California — including Early Phase 1, Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT05304962RecruitingPhase 1
Test drug RGT-419B for advanced ER+ HER2- breast cancer
This Phase 1 study tests a new drug (RGT-419B), given alone or with hormone (endocrine) therapy, in people with advanced ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has progressed after standard treatments. It looks mainly at safety and early signs of how well the treatment may work.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05208762RecruitingPhase 1
PD-L1 antibody drug study for advanced lung and head/neck cancers
This Phase 1 trial tests a new experimental drug (PF-08046054/SGN-PDL1V) in people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatment or can’t use it. It is designed to see how the drug works and how safe it is, with a focus on tumors that have PD-L1 seen on prior lab testing.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05223803RecruitingPhase 2
Study radiation for early metastatic prostate cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests a radiation-focused approach for people with newly diagnosed (de novo) prostate cancer that has spread to a small number of spots, especially in bone. It aims to see how well the treatment controls the cancer while keeping side effects manageable.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT00230308Recruiting
Study of new genes in head and neck cancer surgery tissue
This study looks at tissue from people having surgery for head and neck cancer at Stanford University. Researchers want to identify new proteins and genes that may help explain the cancer and guide future treatments.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05181826Recruiting
Blood collection study for cancer and benign diseases
This study collects blood samples from people with different health conditions (cancer, diabetes, liver disease, etc.) and from healthy volunteers. The goal is to find markers in the blood that could help detect or monitor diseases.
Redondo Beach, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05168566RecruitingPhase 2
Sutetinib for lung cancer with a specific EGFR change
This Phase 2 study tests sutetinib capsules in people with advanced (locally advanced or metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer. It’s for tumors that have a specific, uncommon EGFR mutation, and aims to see how well the drug can control the cancer with limited prior chemotherapy.
Glendale, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05155501Recruiting
Surgery planning approaches for localized prostate cancer
This study compares different approaches used during prostate cancer surgery for men whose cancer is only in the prostate. It may help doctors choose the safest and most effective surgical plan for your situation.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 40–80 - NCT05160480Enrolling by invitation
Total-body PET scan using FDA-approved tracers for prostate or NET cancer
This pilot study tests a total-body PET scan with approved tracer medicines to help detect cancer spread in people with suspected metastatic prostate cancer or certain neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). You may be able to join if recent scans already suggest metastasis and you can safely complete the scan timing and positioning.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05125016RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study drug for advanced prostate cancer after standard treatments
This early-phase study tests whether REGN4336 is safe and how well it works, by itself or with REGN5678, in adults with advanced prostate cancer. It may help people whose cancer has continued to worsen despite standard prostate cancer medicines.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05128825RecruitingPhase 2
Azenosertib for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer with cyclin e1
This trial tests a new pill called azenosertib (ZN-c3) for ovarian cancer that stopped responding to platinum chemotherapy. The drug targets tumors with high levels of the Cyclin E1 protein, and the goal is to see if it can shrink tumors or slow the cancer's growth.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05099172RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Targeted therapy for advanced lung cancer with EGFR or HER2 changes
This trial tests a new targeted drug for people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that has specific genetic changes (EGFR or HER2). The drug may slow cancer growth and help you live longer.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05061550RecruitingPhase 2
Targeted immune-plus-chemo treatment before and after lung surgery
This trial studies whether adding immune treatment and chemotherapy around the time of lung tumor removal improves outcomes for people with operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). You may qualify if your cancer can be surgically removed and your tumor tests meet required biomarker rules.
Oakland, CaliforniaAges 18–95 - NCT05059444Recruiting
Blood test to catch cancer early after treatment
This study looks for signs of cancer left in the body after treatment using a simple blood test (called a liquid biopsy). It aims to see if the test can catch cancer that might come back earlier than regular scans.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05019716RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Adding ZEN003694 to chemo for NUT cancer
This early-phase study tests whether adding ZEN003694 to standard chemotherapy (cisplatin/etoposide or carboplatin/paclitaxel) is safe and can help control NUT carcinoma. It enrolls people ages 12–17 and adults, including some patients whose cancer has spread or can’t be safely removed.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT05020574RecruitingPhase 2
Study how the microbiome may affect breast implant infections
This Phase 2 study looks at whether changes in the body’s “microbiome” (the normal germs in and on the body) are linked to infections after breast surgery with implants. It may help doctors better predict and prevent implant infections in people undergoing mastectomy with immediate implant placement.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 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.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04928846RecruitingPhase 3
Telisotuzumab vedotin vs docetaxel for advanced non-squamous lung cancer
This trial tests an investigational drug (telisotuzumab vedotin) against the standard chemotherapy docetaxel in people with a certain type of non-squamous lung cancer that has high levels of a protein called c-Met. It may offer a new treatment option for those whose cancer has progressed after initial therapy.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04986423RecruitingPhase 2
Add ZEN003694 to enzalutamide for resistant prostate cancer
This Phase 2 study tests whether adding ZEN003694 to enzalutamide works better than enzalutamide alone in men whose prostate cancer has spread and is no longer controlled by hormone lowering treatments. It focuses on people who either did not respond well to abiraterone (poor responders) or did respond (responders), then compares outcomes between treatment groups.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04970056Recruiting
Pancreatic cancer risk and early-detection registry study
This study builds a database of people at higher risk for pancreatic cancer (or certain early warning findings) to help find better ways to detect the disease early. You may be asked to complete health questionnaires and possibly donate a blood/saliva/swab sample.
Newport Beach, CaliforniaAges 18–90 - NCT04858334RecruitingPhase 2
Olaparib after pancreatic cancer surgery for BRCA or PALB2 mutations
This trial studies whether olaparib (a targeted cancer medicine) can help prevent pancreatic cancer from coming back after surgery in people with BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 mutations. You would get olaparib or a placebo (inactive pill) and be closely followed to see if recurrence is reduced.
Arroyo Grande, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04864054RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study T-cell therapy for advanced liver cancer
This trial tests a custom immune-cell treatment made to target a marker (GPC3) found on some liver cancers. It’s for adults with advanced HCC whose cancer has worsened after standard treatment or who couldn’t tolerate it.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04857502RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Tracking prostate cancer spread before lymph node surgery
This early study uses a special imaging tracer to show where prostate cancer has spread in the pelvic lymph nodes. It may help doctors better understand how well certain scans guide surgical removal of affected lymph nodes.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT04831580Recruiting
Robotic vs open hysterectomy for early cervix cancer
This trial compares robotic surgery to open (traditional) surgery for women with early-stage cervix cancer. The goal is to see which approach is safer and works better for cancer control and recovery.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04852887RecruitingPhase 3
Testing shorter breast radiation after low-risk hormone breast cancer
This Phase 3 trial studies whether “less intense” radiation can work as well as standard radiation for certain early-stage hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancers that have a low Oncotype DX score. It may help reduce treatment burden while keeping cancer control strong.
Auburn, CaliforniaAges 50–70
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 · 6 studies
- Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian · 4 studies
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center · 4 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 3 studies
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation · 3 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 3 studies
- Alta Bates Summit Medical Center-Herrick Campus · 2 studies
- California Pacific Medical Center · 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 1,320 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.