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
- NCT05410977Recruiting
Testing blood and stool for colon cancer in Lynch syndrome
This study collects blood and stool samples to see how well they can detect colorectal cancer or advanced growths in people with Lynch syndrome (an inherited colon cancer risk) or suspected Lynch syndrome. It may help find cancer or precancer earlier, which can improve next-step decisions.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05366699Recruiting
Procedure to help prevent arm swelling after breast surgery
This trial studies a new procedure meant to lower the chance of getting lymphedema (arm swelling) after breast cancer surgery that removes lymph nodes in the armpit. It may help patients reduce the risk of long-term arm swelling, especially after lymph node dissection.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT05333458RecruitingPhase 2
Atezolizumab plus selinexor for advanced alveolar soft tissue sarcoma
This Phase 2 trial tests whether combining atezolizumab with selinexor can slow or shrink advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) in people age 12 and older. It may help by improving the immune system’s ability to fight the cancer and stopping cancer cell growth signals.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT05319730RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing new drugs, with or without pembrolizumab, for advanced esophageal cancer
This trial studies investigational cancer medicines, either alone or along with pembrolizumab, for people with advanced esophageal squamous cell cancer whose cancer has grown despite prior immune and platinum-based treatment. It may offer a new option after standard therapy has not worked.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05319314RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study drug for advanced colon cancer that has come back or failed
This Phase 1/2 trial tests LYL273, a new targeted treatment, for people with metastatic colorectal (colon) cancer that has returned or not responded to standard chemo. It’s designed to see how well the drug can control the cancer and what side effects it causes.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05317858RecruitingPhase 3
Open the brain’s blood barrier to treat lung cancer brain spots
This trial tests whether using focused ultrasound to temporarily open the brain’s blood barrier—plus standard immune therapy—can better treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to the brain. It aims to help medicines reach the brain tumor spots more effectively, while still using the usual lung cancer treatment.
Newport Beach, CaliforniaAges 18–100 - NCT05321134Recruiting
Testing single-port robot surgery for colorectal conditions
This study checks how well a newer single-opening (single-port) robot works for colorectal surgery. It may help surgeons perform operations with the robotic system in carefully selected colorectal conditions.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05335928RecruitingPhase 3
Abatacept for immune-therapy heart inflammation in hospitalized adults
This Phase 3 trial tests abatacept to treat myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) caused by immune checkpoint cancer medicines. It may help patients recover faster and safely manage this serious side effect while they are in the hospital.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05272384RecruitingPhase 1
Testing nivolumab plus ASTX727 for hard-to-treat lymphoma
This Phase 1 study tests whether adding ASTX727 to nivolumab can shrink relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas that have come back or did not respond to treatment. It also aims to find a safe dosing plan and see early signs of benefit in certain lymphoma types.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05303532Enrolling by invitationPhase 3
Continue durvalumab after finishing a prior cancer study
This study lets people who already finished (or can no longer continue) an earlier AstraZeneca cancer treatment study keep receiving durvalumab. It tests whether continuing the same kind of treatment on a regular schedule can help keep your cancer under control.
Newport Beach, CaliforniaAges 18–99 - NCT05237986Recruiting
Study brain and thinking effects after CAR T therapy in youth
This study looks at how CAR T-cell treatment affects thinking, learning, and day-to-day brain function in children and young adults with certain blood cancers. You (and a caregiver) may complete online testing so researchers can track these changes over time and whether support is needed.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 5 years+ - NCT05208047RecruitingPhase 3
CGT9486 plus sunitinib for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors
This trial tests whether adding a new drug called CGT9486 to sunitinib (a standard cancer drug) works better than sunitinib alone for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) that have grown or spread. You may qualify if your GIST stopped responding to or caused problems with imatinib, an earlier treatment.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05232916RecruitingPhase 3
Vaccine for HER2-positive breast cancer after standard treatment
This trial tests a vaccine (GLSI-100) that may help prevent the return of HER2-positive breast cancer. It is given to patients who still had cancer cells after initial treatment with trastuzumab, or who had stage III disease and achieved a complete response.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18–100 - NCT05253651RecruitingPhase 3
Tucatinib plus trastuzumab with chemo for HER2+ metastatic colon cancer
This trial tests whether adding tucatinib and trastuzumab to standard chemotherapy works better than standard treatment alone for people with HER2-positive metastatic colon or rectal cancer. It aims to improve how long people live and how well tumors respond as first treatment for advanced disease.
Pasadena, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05236114Recruiting
Study of blood and tumor tests for lung cancer treatment
This study looks at how tumor and blood biomarker results can guide treatment for people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Depending on the cancer stage, it may follow standard-of-care treatment plans around surgery or first-line immunotherapy.
Fountain Valley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05199259Recruiting
Blood test study for people at risk for or with liver cancer
This trial tests a new blood test to help detect liver cancer (HCC) or confirm it’s not present in people with cirrhosis who are being monitored. It may help improve how doctors screen for liver cancer and decide who needs further imaging or treatment.
Escondido, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05225363RecruitingPhase 1
CAR T therapy for ovarian cancer that no longer responds to platinum
This Phase 1 study tests a one-time treatment made from your immune cells (CAR T) to attack a protein found on some ovarian cancer cells. It is for people whose ovarian cancer has come back or worsened after platinum chemotherapy, aiming to see safety and early signs of benefit.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05256641RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Acalabrutinib maintenance after transplant or CAR T for large B-cell lymphoma
This trial studies acalabrutinib given after certain lymphoma treatments (like stem cell transplant or CAR T therapy) to help keep the lymphoma from coming back. It’s for people whose disease has shrunk (partial response) or fully gone away (complete response) after those treatments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT05137054RecruitingPhase 1
Linvoseltamab combo for hard-to-treat multiple myeloma
This trial tests a new drug called linvoseltamab combined with other cancer treatments for people with multiple myeloma that has stopped responding to standard therapies. It may be an option if you have already tried several treatments and are looking for a new approach.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05174169RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Adjuvant colon chemotherapy guided by tumor DNA results
This trial tests whether treatment for colon cancer after surgery can be guided by a blood test that looks for leftover cancer signals (ctDNA). It may help some people choose stronger or different chemo based on whether ctDNA is found after surgery.
Castro Valley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05142605Recruiting
Grief therapy for parents who lost a child to cancer
This study compares different grief-therapy approaches for parents (and their support people) after they lose a child diagnosed with cancer. It may help if your grief feels especially intense and long-lasting, and you are willing to take part in English telehealth sessions.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05190978Recruiting
Test mesh use for breast reconstruction above the muscle
This study tests whether using surgical mesh can be done safely and works well in breast reconstruction done right away, in front of the chest muscle (pre-pectoral) using tissue expanders. It may help improve how the reconstructed area holds up, but you’d need to meet specific surgical and health requirements.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 22–75 - NCT04763980Recruiting
Health coaching to help Black men get prostate germline genetic testing
This study tests a community health coach to help Black men with prostate cancer understand and access genetic testing that looks for inherited cancer risk. It may help you talk with your care team about testing and reduce barriers to getting results.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05006482RecruitingPhase 3
Geriatric education and care support for older cancer survivors
This study tests whether a structured health education and “older adult care” approach—done with your oncology team—can improve support for people after cancer. It includes older cancer survivors and a chosen caregiver, using in-person or video visits for follow-up.
Fremont, 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 · 5 studies
- University of California, Davis · 4 studies
- Keck Medicine of USC · 3 studies
- Los Angeles General Medical Center · 3 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 3 studies
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center · 3 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 2 studies
- Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park 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.