Clinical trials · Illinois
Cancer clinical trials in Illinois
We’re tracking 679 recruiting cancer studies with a site in Illinois — 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 Illinois
- NCT03945162RecruitingPhase 2
Bladder cancer trial using light therapy in the bladder
This Phase 2 study tests a treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) placed directly into the bladder. It may help people whose non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer did not respond to BCG treatment or could not tolerate it.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT03998202Recruiting
Study of chemotherapy side effects in older colorectal cancer patients
This study looks at how chemotherapy and immunotherapy affect the body in older adults with colorectal cancer, especially early side effects. It may help researchers understand why some people lose strength and how to better predict and manage treatment toxicity.
Mattoon, IllinoisAges 60 years+ - NCT04038502RecruitingPhase 2
Testing carboplatin or olaparib for gene-linked prostate cancer
This Phase 2 study tests whether carboplatin or olaparib can help people with prostate cancer that has certain DNA repair gene changes. It’s designed for advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer that is growing despite standard hormone-blocking treatment.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04048278RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Lidocaine IV infusion for pancreatic cancer treatment
This early-phase study tests whether giving lidocaine through an IV infusion can help treat pancreatic cancer. It will enroll people with confirmed pancreatic cancer that can be measured on scans, including some cases discovered to have spread during surgery.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04107077RecruitingPhase 2
HIPEC surgery plus chemotherapy for advanced stomach cancer
This study tests whether a specialized surgery called HIPEC (heat-treated chemotherapy placed in the belly) can improve outcomes for people with advanced stomach cancer that has reached the lining of the abdomen. It’s given after you’ve already had standard chemotherapy, aiming to better control disease in the belly.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04295863RecruitingPhase 1
Test different dosing schedules for two immunotherapy drugs
This early trial compares how often two immune system medicines—nivolumab and pembrolizumab—are given for advanced or metastatic cancers. It aims to see which dosing interval is workable and safe for people needing treatment.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04427293RecruitingPhase 1
Testing lenvatinib and pembrolizumab before breast cancer surgery
This early-phase trial tests whether lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab given before surgery can help treat early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. If you qualify, you would receive study medicines before your planned operation to remove the tumor and nearby lymph nodes.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04485013RecruitingPhase 1
Study drug TTX-080 for advanced colorectal cancer
This Phase 1 study tests TTX-080, a drug designed to block a cancer immune “signal” (HLA-G) to help the body fight advanced colorectal cancer. It mainly checks safety and how the treatment works in people with cancer that has spread.
Arlington Heights, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04614103RecruitingPhase 2
Immune cell therapy for advanced lung cancer after chemotherapy
This trial studies LN-145, a treatment made from your own immune cells, for metastatic (stage IV) non-small-cell lung cancer. It may help shrink tumors after your cancer has progressed despite standard first-line chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–70 - NCT04616131Recruiting
Testing ctDNA as a marker in pancreatic cancer treatment
This trial is studying a blood test that looks for tumor DNA (ctDNA) to see if it can help predict how well treatment is working in people with pancreatic cancer that hasn't spread. It is for patients getting chemotherapy before possible surgery.
Warrenville, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04620187RecruitingPhase 2
Study medicine T-DM1 after surgery for HER2-positive salivary cancer
This Phase 2 trial studies T-DM1 given after surgery for salivary gland cancer that is HER2-positive. The goal is to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back by targeting HER2-positive tumor cells.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04683653RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Pelvic radiation test for uterine or cervical cancer
This trial studies a specific radiation schedule aimed at the pelvis (lower belly area) for uterine or cervical cancer. It looks at whether this “hypofractionated” approach can control cancer while limiting side effects, especially in patients whose disease has not spread to distant organs.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - 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.
Crystal Lake, IllinoisAges 50–70 - NCT04929223RecruitingPhase 1
Targeted drug study for metastatic colon or rectal cancer
This Phase 1 study tests targeted cancer treatments in people with metastatic colorectal cancer, using genetic “biomarker” results to match you to the right treatment group. It focuses first on safety, and also looks for early signs the treatment may work in specific tumor subgroups.
Arlington Heights, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06792695RecruitingPhase 2
Study of new treatments for colorectal cancer
This trial tests new treatment combinations for colorectal cancer that has spread (metastatic). It is for people whose cancer is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) or microsatellite stable (MSS) and who have not had previous treatment for metastatic disease.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–130 - NCT04970056Recruiting
Pancreatic cancer risk and early-detection registry study
This study builds a database of people at higher risk for pancreatic cancer (or certain early warning findings) to help find better ways to detect the disease early. You may be asked to complete health questionnaires and possibly donate a blood/saliva/swab sample.
Bloomington, IllinoisAges 18–90 - NCT05061550RecruitingPhase 2
Targeted immune-plus-chemo treatment before and after lung surgery
This trial studies whether adding immune treatment and chemotherapy around the time of lung tumor removal improves outcomes for people with operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). You may qualify if your cancer can be surgically removed and your tumor tests meet required biomarker rules.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–95 - NCT05155501Recruiting
Surgery planning approaches for localized prostate cancer
This study compares different approaches used during prostate cancer surgery for men whose cancer is only in the prostate. It may help doctors choose the safest and most effective surgical plan for your situation.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 40–80 - NCT05166694Recruiting
Personalized testing to check drug interactions and gene effects
This study uses personalized information to help understand how your current medicines interact with each other and with your genes. It may help your care team choose safer, more effective medication plans for you.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05257551Recruiting
Small cell lung cancer data study using tumor and blood samples
This observational study collects information and lab samples from people with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. It may help researchers understand how patients respond and improve future care, but it usually does not add new treatment for you.
Peoria, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05295407Recruiting
Testing a risk assessment to predict prostate cancer on biopsy
This trial studies whether a risk assessment can better predict who actually has prostate cancer based on information collected around the biopsy. It may help doctors decide what biopsy findings mean for people with certain PSA (a blood test) results.
Evanston, IllinoisAges 40–69
Cancer trials by city in Illinois
Where these studies are running in Illinois
Institutions with a site for the recruiting cancer studies listed above.
- University of Chicago · 9 studies
- Northwestern University · 4 studies
- University of Illinois · 4 studies
- Illinois CancerCare-Bloomington · 3 studies
- Illinois CancerCare-Peoria · 3 studies
- Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Delnor · 3 studies
- Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Kishwaukee · 3 studies
- Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville · 3 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 Illinois?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 679 recruiting cancer studies with a site in Illinois, 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 Illinois?
- 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 Illinois to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in Illinois, 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 Illinois 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.