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
- 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 - NCT04802759RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing drug combinations for recurrent or advanced ER-positive breast cancer
This early-phase trial tests several combinations of cancer medicines to slow or control ER-positive breast cancer that has returned or progressed. It also checks safety and whether tumor or blood biomarkers can help match the right treatment to the right person.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04715178Recruiting
Childhood cancer sample and data registry
This study collects stored samples (like blood or tissue) and health information from people affected by cancer at a young age, including some survivors. The goal is to build a library of specimens and data that researchers can use to better understand childhood and young adult cancers.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT04765150Recruiting
AI helps classify prostate cancer using MRI images
This trial studies whether a computer (AI) can better sort MRI results to improve prostate cancer diagnosis or classification. You may benefit by getting your multi-part MRI looked at in a new, more precise way, while helping researchers refine decision-making.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04701476RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab for advanced colorectal or lung cancer
This study tests pembrolizumab (an immune system medicine) with another treatment (TATE) in people with advanced colorectal or lung cancer that is not driven by certain gene changes. It may help shrink tumors after standard chemotherapy has stopped working.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04628767RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Durvalumab plus chemo before surgery for upper tract cancer
This trial tests whether adding an immunotherapy drug (durvalumab) to chemotherapy before surgery can improve outcomes for people with high-grade upper tract urothelial cancer. It compares different treatment approaches based on whether a patient can receive cisplatin chemotherapy.
Auburn, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04633239RecruitingPhase 1
Testing abemaciclib plus olaparib for recurrent ovarian cancer
This Phase 1 trial studies whether adding abemaciclib to olaparib can treat women with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. It aims to find a safe dose and see how well the combination can control the cancer.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04613596RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Adagrasib for KRAS G12C lung cancer, alone or with pembrolizumab
This trial studies adagrasib (an anti-cancer drug) either alone or with pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) in people with advanced lung cancer that has a KRAS G12C mutation. It aims to shrink tumors and improve outcomes, including for people without urgent brain treatment needs.
Anaheim, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04634357RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing donor-like immune T cells for children with liver cancer
This Phase 1/2 trial tests an immune-cell treatment (ET140203 T cells) in children and teens with certain liver cancers that have come back or did not respond to standard treatment. It aims to see whether these T cells can shrink tumors and is mainly focused on safety and early effectiveness.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 1–21 - NCT04469764RecruitingPhase 2
Abemaciclib for certain recurrent ovarian or endometrial cancers
This Phase 2 study tests abemaciclib, a targeted pill treatment, for recurrent ovarian or endometrial cancer that shows specific tumor genetic patterns. It may help slow or control cancer growth in people whose tumor matches the required test results.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT04486352RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Targeted therapy trial for recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer
This Phase 1/2 study tests targeted drug(s) for endometrial cancer that has come back or never fully went away after prior treatments. You may be eligible if your tumor can be tested for specific biomarkers and your health allows treatment safely.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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+ - 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 - 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 - NCT04363164RecruitingPhase 2
Testosterone then enzalutamide to stop prostate cancer spread
This Phase 2 trial tests whether giving testosterone first, then enzalutamide (a prostate cancer hormone-blocking pill), can slow or prevent worsening metastatic prostate cancer. It is designed for men whose cancer progressed despite ongoing hormone-suppression treatment.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–90 - NCT04205968RecruitingPhase 2
Testing ramucirumab with chemo for advanced small bowel cancer
This trial studies whether adding ramucirumab to chemotherapy (either paclitaxel or FOLFIRI) works better for advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma that has already been treated with certain prior medicines. It may help shrink tumors or slow cancer growth in people whose cancer has progressed.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 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.
Fullerton, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04038502RecruitingPhase 2
Comparing carboplatin and olaparib for prostate cancer with BRCA gene changes
This study compares two treatments for prostate cancer that has spread and has specific gene changes (BRCA or related genes). It aims to see which treatment works better for people whose cancer has stopped responding to other hormone therapies.
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 - NCT03972657RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing a new prostate and kidney cancer drug with immunotherapy
This early trial tests whether REGN5678 (nezastomig) is safe and how well it works, either by itself or with an immunotherapy drug (cemiplimab). It targets adults with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and certain metastatic kidney cancers that have already been treated.
Santa Monica, 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+ - 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+
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
- University of California, San Francisco · 5 studies
- UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center · 4 studies
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center · 3 studies
- Alta Bates Summit Medical Center-Herrick Campus · 2 studies
- California Pacific Medical Center · 2 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 2 studies
- City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer 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.