Clinical trials · California
Cancer clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 1,309 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
- NCT03975231RecruitingPhase 1
Targeted drugs and radiation for BRAF-mutated thyroid cancer
This Phase 1 trial studies whether targeted medicines (dabrafenib and trametinib) plus radiation can control an aggressive thyroid cancer with a specific BRAF gene change. It may help by attacking cancer cells that have this mutation and using focused radiation to improve tumor control.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04031677RecruitingPhase 3
Surgery with or without chemotherapy for high-risk retroperitoneal sarcoma
This trial studies whether adding chemotherapy before surgery helps people with high-risk retroperitoneal (abdominal-area) leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma. The goal is to improve outcomes while comparing surgery alone versus surgery plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04049214Recruiting
Mindfulness program during breast cancer surgery
This trial tests whether a structured mindfulness program before and after breast cancer surgery can reduce stress and improve how patients feel and cope. You may be offered mindfulness materials to use around the time of your operation.
Newport Beach, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04049539RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Vyxeos for AML that stays after initial chemotherapy
This trial tests whether Vyxeos (a type of chemotherapy) can treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that did not fully go away after standard induction (“7+3”) chemotherapy. It targets people whose leukemia is still present in the bone marrow and need a stronger “re-induction” treatment.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04077099RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study drug for lung cancer with MET changes
This trial tests REGN5093, a study drug, in adults with advanced lung cancer that has a specific change called a MET alteration. If you have this MET change, the study aims to see how well the drug controls the cancer and how safe it is.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04110756Recruiting
Program to help teens change health behaviors
This study tests a program designed to help teens make healthier choices. It’s for teens who are 15–17 and are currently drinking alcohol, who come to specific UCSF pediatric check-up visits.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 15–17 - NCT04165070RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Stage IV lung cancer trial using pembrolizumab with or without chemotherapy
This Phase 1/2 study tests pembrolizumab (an immune-based cancer treatment) either alone or with chemotherapy in people newly diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It looks at how well the treatments work and whether they are safe, especially in people who haven’t had treatment yet for metastatic disease.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04165798Recruiting
Pembrolizumab with or without chemotherapy for stage IV lung cancer
This trial tests whether pembrolizumab alone, or pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy, can treat stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. It may help shrink tumors and improve outcomes by boosting the immune system, with or without added chemotherapy.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04185935Recruiting
Genetic study of cancer in patients and their families
This study looks at DNA patterns in families where cancer may run in families, to better understand inherited (passed-down) cancer risk. You may be able to help even if you’re not sure whether your cancer is genetic—your family history and, if needed, medical records or tumor samples can be used.
Concord, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT04191551Recruiting
Study of stomach precancer conditions during endoscopy
This study looks at people with certain stomach symptoms or precancer risk factors when they get a camera test of the upper digestive tract (endoscopy). The goal is to learn how to better detect and evaluate stomach precancer conditions early, which may help guide treatment or follow-up.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 35–84 - NCT04239573Recruiting
Compare pancreatic cyst checkup programs and test markers
This study compares different ways to monitor pancreatic cysts and also measures blood or other test markers to see which approach is more helpful. It may help patients by finding the safest, most effective way to track certain cysts that could otherwise be hard to manage.
Burbank, CaliforniaAges 50–75 - NCT04262830Recruiting
Heart scans to predict future heart failure after chemotherapy
This trial uses detailed heart imaging (a special MRI scan) to see how chemotherapy may have affected your heart and to predict who could develop heart failure later. If you qualify, it may help your care team better monitor your heart health over time.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 13–39 - NCT04291755Recruiting
Stool bank for people receiving cancer immunotherapy
This study is building a “stool bank,” meaning they collect and store stool samples from people who are getting cancer immunotherapy. Researchers plan to analyze these samples to better understand cancer and treatment—your participation may help future research.
Fountain Valley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04291651Recruiting
Pancreatic Cyst Registry for Adults With Pancreatic Cysts
This registry study collects information from adults who have a pancreatic cyst (a fluid-filled sac in the pancreas). It may help doctors understand these cysts and how they change over time, which can improve future care.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04315324RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Test drug OBI-3424 for relapsed T-cell blood cancer
This trial tests OBI-3424, an investigational medicine, in adults and children with relapsed or hard-to-treat T-cell acute leukemia or certain T-cell lymphoma. It may help by shrinking cancer when standard treatments have not worked.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT04339036RecruitingPhase 2
CapTem plus Y-90 for liver-spread neuroendocrine tumors
This Phase 2 study tests whether combining capecitabine/temozolomide (“CapTem”) with Y-90 treatment can shrink neuroendocrine tumor (NET) spread in the liver. It may help people whose tumor is mostly in the liver and cannot be fully removed with surgery.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04343157RecruitingPhase 2
Image-guided focused radiation to protect thinking in brain metastases
This Phase 2 trial tests a brain radiation technique that aims to treat up to a few brain metastases while sparing areas important for thinking and memory. It may help people keep cognitive abilities better than with more brain-wide radiation approaches.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04442724Recruiting
MRI and bladder marker planning to guide bladder chemoradiation
This trial uses special MRI scans and tiny markers placed in the bladder to better plan bladder chemoradiation. The goal is to help target treatment more accurately and improve how well it can be delivered.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04453072Recruiting
iPhone weight-loss app for teens and young adults after transplant
This study tests whether an iPhone weight-management app can help adolescents and young adults lose weight after a stem cell transplant. If you qualify, you’ll use the app and the team will track changes in weight.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 13–30 - NCT04472338Recruiting
Prostate cancer screening for people with higher genetic risk
This study looks at prostate cancer screening for people who may be at higher risk because of a specific inherited (genetic) change. It may help your care team find the best screening approach to catch aggressive prostate cancer earlier.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 40 years+ - NCT04486833RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Genetic-targeted drug plus gene medicine for EGFR lung cancer
This trial studies a gene-based treatment added to osimertinib (a targeted lung cancer pill) for advanced EGFR-mutant lung cancer that has started growing again on osimertinib. It may help by attacking the cancer with both its usual target treatment and an added genetic approach.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04511013RecruitingPhase 2
Trial for BRAF-mutant melanoma spread to the brain
This Phase 2 study tests whether a 3-drug plan (encorafenib + binimetinib + nivolumab) works better than ipilimumab + nivolumab for melanoma that has spread to the brain. If you qualify, you’ll get either treatment and have frequent brain scans to track how well it controls the tumors.
Emeryville, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04546399RecruitingPhase 2
Blinatumomab with or without nivolumab for first relapse ALL
This study compares blinatumomab alone versus blinatumomab plus nivolumab in young people whose B-cell ALL has returned for the first time. It aims to see whether adding nivolumab improves control of the leukemia after relapse.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 1–30 - NCT04585490RecruitingPhase 3
Testing a personalized add-on treatment after stage III lung cancer
This phase 3 trial tests whether tailoring the next (add-on) treatments can improve outcomes after standard chemoradiation and immunotherapy for stage III, unresectable (not operable) non-small cell lung cancer. It specifically looks at giving durvalumab plus an additional drug (tremelimumab) and possibly other consolidation chemotherapy based on a personalized plan.
Stanford, 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 · 8 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 7 studies
- Loma Linda University Medical Center · 3 studies
- UCLA / Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center · 3 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 2 studies
- Children's Hospital of Orange County · 2 studies
- PCR Oncology · 2 studies
- Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center/Disney Family 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 1,309 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.