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 2, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT03869814Recruiting
Blood test to study cancer signals without invasive procedures
This study looks at a non-invasive blood test to detect cancer-related “signal patterns” and see how well they match different types of cancer. It may help researchers learn better ways to find or understand cancer using less invasive testing.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 21–80 - NCT03729115Recruiting
Enhanced breast cancer screening for high-risk women
This study tests a more thorough breast cancer screening program using MRI and other imaging for women at high risk. It aims to detect cancer earlier, which may improve treatment options and outcomes.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 25 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 - 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+ - 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+ - NCT03424005RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing new drug combinations for advanced breast cancer
This study tests how well and how safely different combinations of cancer drugs work for people with metastatic or inoperable locally advanced breast cancer. It may help by finding a better treatment option and collecting information to guide future care.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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 - NCT03193970Recruiting
Study recovery after bladder removal surgery
This trial looks at how patients recover after radical cystectomy, a surgery that removes the bladder for bladder cancer. It will study recovery patterns to help understand what recovery may look like and possibly improve care.
Stanford, 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 - 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+ - 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.
Arroyo Grande, CaliforniaAges 2 months+ - 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+ - 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.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 30–74 - 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+ - 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+ - 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 - 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.
Fountain Valley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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 - NCT00843375Recruiting
Testing stool samples to find early colon cancer and polyps
This study checks stool samples to see how well stool tests can detect early colon cancer and precancerous growths called adenomas. If you qualify, you’ll collect stool samples for a lab test (FIT) and sometimes this helps sort who should get follow-up testing.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07437963RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Iberdomide plus chemoimmunotherapy for neuroblastoma that returned or did not respond
This trial tests adding a new drug called iberdomide to an existing chemoimmunotherapy regimen for children and young adults with neuroblastoma that has come back or not responded to treatment. The goal is to see if the combination is safe and more effective than current treatments.
Oakland, CaliforniaAges 1–30
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 · 5 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 4 studies
- City of Hope · 3 studies
- Stanford University · 2 studies
- Stanford University School of Medicine · 2 studies
- University of California San Diego · 2 studies
- University of California, Davis · 2 studies
- University of California, Irvine · 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.