Clinical trials · California
Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 1,311 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
- NCT00477100Recruiting
Breast cancer tissue and data registry for research
This trial helps create a research “tissue registry” by collecting breast cancer tissue samples and medical information. It may help doctors better understand inflammatory or invasive breast cancer and improve future studies.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT00899405Recruiting
Studying lung cancer tissue and blood for DNA changes
This study looks at lung cancer tumor samples and blood to find DNA changes (gene changes) that may be driving the cancer. The results could help researchers better understand lung cancer and guide future treatments.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT02016248Recruiting
Radiation “boost” for higher-risk prostate cancer
This trial studies whether adding a stronger “boost” dose of targeted radiation (SBRT) can better control higher-risk prostate cancer. It may help by increasing radiation coverage to the prostate while trying to limit treatment to surrounding areas.
Long Beach, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT01120353Recruiting
Childhood cancer survivors study to understand long-term health
This study follows people who survived certain childhood cancers to learn what long-term health effects may happen after treatment. It also compares survivors with siblings to help researchers understand differences that may be related to cancer or treatment.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT01542879RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
MR scan for cancer staging without radiation in children and adults
This study tests a radiation-free whole-body MRI method to help doctors stage (find and measure) certain cancers. It may reduce radiation exposure compared with scans that use X-rays or radioactive tracers, while still checking how far cancer has spread.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 6–40 - NCT01684904Recruiting
Proton beam radiation for certain esophagus cancers
This trial studies whether proton therapy can better treat early-to-mid stage esophagus cancer while aiming to reduce side effects to nearby organs. Proton therapy uses a targeted type of radiation, and participants are also checked to be eligible for curative surgery.
Loma Linda, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT02174549RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing a drug with liver artery treatment for liver-spread neuroendocrine cancer
This early-stage study tests a cancer drug called tirapazamine, given along with a liver artery procedure (embolization) to treat liver-dominant metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. It aims to find a safe dose and see whether the combination can better control tumor growth in the liver.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 20–99 - NCT02280161Recruiting
Study of inherited cancer gene samples in blood and saliva
This study collects blood and saliva to look for inherited gene changes in people who have been diagnosed with cancer. It may help researchers understand what genetic risks could be involved, which could guide future cancer care.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT02478931Recruiting
Personalized cancer treatment study based on your response
This study uses a personalized cancer treatment plan and looks at how well it works and side effects. You may be able to join if you (or your parent/guardian, if needed) are willing to consent to the study.
Rancho Mirage, CaliforniaAges 7 years+ - NCT02526368RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Scan your prostate with special MRI using pyruvate to find high-grade cancer
This trial tests whether a specialized MRI scan using a pyruvate tracer can better detect high-grade (more aggressive) prostate cancer. It may help doctors find cancer more accurately and guide treatment decisions or targeted follow-up.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT02328677Recruiting
Colorectal cancer study for newly diagnosed patients
This study enrolls people newly diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer to learn about their care and outcomes. You might be able to join if you meet the age, language, and consent requirements.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–89 - NCT02474160Recruiting
Banking cancer tissue and blood for future research
This study collects and stores leftover or newly taken samples of tissue and blood from people with cancer. The goal is to build a research library that can help investigators study cancer and develop better tests or treatments.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 2 months+ - NCT02253251Recruiting
Study genes linked to cancer risk and how they may be affected
This study looks at tiny genetic changes (called microRNA binding site mutations) to understand how they relate to cancer risk, prevention, and treatment. If you (or close family members) have had cancer, and you meet the study’s other requirements, your genetic information could help researchers learn how to better predict and manage cancer.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT02620852Recruiting
Wisdom Study: Women’s breast cancer screening decisions
This study looks at how to decide the best breast cancer screening (like mammograms) based on your personal risk. It may help by testing a smarter way to match screening to your risk level.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 30–74 - NCT02468024RecruitingPhase 3
Surgery or focused radiation for early lung cancer
This study compares two treatments—removing only part of the lung (sublobar resection) versus a focused radiation approach (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy)—for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. It aims to see which option works better with fewer problems for the right patients.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03193515Recruiting
Blood test to monitor bladder cancer returning
This trial tests a new blood test that looks for signs bladder cancer may be coming back in people with a recent history of bladder cancer. It may help by making surveillance easier, but you must still follow a scheduled bladder-check plan.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05951179RecruitingPhase 2
Bladder instillation study for high-grade non–muscle-invasive cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests TARA-002 given directly into the bladder to treat high-grade non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer with active disease. It may help patients who have not previously responded to, or have not received, BCG treatment in the recent past.
Bakersfield, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT01385722Enrolling by invitation
Molecular testing for cancers in the chest
This study looks at the genetic changes (molecular analysis) in certain cancers of the chest. It may help doctors learn more about what drives these cancers and how they might be diagnosed or treated in the future.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07470853RecruitingPhase 1
Study of HWK-016 for advanced ovarian or endometrial cancer
This trial tests a new drug called HWK-016, which is designed to target and deliver medicine directly to cancer cells that have a specific marker (MUC16). It is for people with advanced ovarian or endometrial cancer to see if it can shrink tumors or slow their growth.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07484022RecruitingPhase 1
Study of GB-4362 with EV and pembrolizumab for bladder cancer
This trial tests a new study drug (GB-4362) when added to the usual combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab for advanced bladder cancer. It is for people who are about to start this standard treatment and have not had these drugs before.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07458347RecruitingPhase 1
A new oral drug for KRAS-mutated advanced cancer
This trial tests a new oral drug, KST-6051, for people with advanced solid tumors (like lung, pancreatic, colon, or other cancers) that have a specific KRAS gene mutation. The goal is to find the best dose and see if it's safe.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07544589RecruitingPhase 1
Testing DISP-10 for Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancers
This early-stage trial tests a new experimental therapy called DISP-10 in patients with advanced cancers of the stomach, esophagus, or colon that have spread. The goal is to see if this treatment can help shrink tumors and how safe it is.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07549958RecruitingPhase 1
Gemcitabine with or without Pitavastatin for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
This study tests whether adding pitavastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug) to gemcitabine chemotherapy can help treat pancreatic cancer that cannot be surgically removed. You would join if your cancer hasn't grown worse after 2–4 rounds of gemcitabine.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07587229Recruiting
Predicting chemotherapy response in gastric cancer
This research study analyzes tumor tissue samples to understand why some patients respond better to chemotherapy after gastric cancer surgery. By studying how genes are processed in cancer cells, researchers hope to predict which patients will benefit most from treatment.
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 · 5 studies
- Stanford University · 4 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 4 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 3 studies
- University of California San Diego Health · 2 studies
- University of California, Davis Medical Center · 2 studies
- University of California, Irvine Medical Center / UC Irvine Health · 2 studies
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 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.