Clinical trials · Illinois
Cancer clinical trials in Illinois
We’re tracking 679 recruiting cancer studies with a site in Illinois — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in Illinois
- NCT03899155RecruitingPhase 2
Study for continuing or restarting cancer treatment that worked before
This trial lets people who were already in a related “parent” study either keep taking treatment or restart it after it had stopped working for a while. It’s meant for people who previously had a meaningful response and may still benefit from continued treatment.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT07178301RecruitingPhase 2
Lower radiation dose for HPV-related throat cancer
This trial tests whether a lower dose of radiation to the neck is safe and effective for people with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. It may reduce side effects while still treating the cancer.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges Any age - 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.
Aurora, IllinoisAges 50–75 - NCT04294927Recruiting
Tube removal first, then ovaries later for high-risk women
This study looks at whether removing the fallopian tubes first, and the ovaries later, is safe for women with certain inherited gene mutations that raise ovarian cancer risk. It may help you understand a prevention approach when you’re considered high risk and have finished having children.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 25–50 - 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.
Burr Ridge, IllinoisAges 12 years+ - NCT04317534RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab after lung cancer surgery versus observation
This trial tests whether pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) given after complete surgery can lower the chance that early-stage lung cancer comes back. You’ll be compared to standard follow-up without extra treatment to see if the drug helps more people stay cancer-free.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 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.
Urbana, IllinoisAges 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.
Centralia, IllinoisAges 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 1–30 - NCT04606030Recruiting
Tested lymph surgery for breast-cancer–related arm swelling
This trial studies a specialized lymph surgery (called VLNT, moving lymph tissue) to treat swelling in an arm caused by breast cancer treatment. It may help reduce lymphedema that doesn’t fully improve with compression and elevation.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–75 - NCT04671667RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab vs chemo-radiation after surgery for recurrent head/neck cancer
This trial tests whether pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) works better than the usual chemo plus radiation after surgery for cancer that has come back in the head and neck area. It may help reduce cancer returning or spreading by using your immune system, but eligibility depends on how the cancer came back and your prior treatments.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–79 - NCT04792684Recruiting
Collecting colon samples from adults with colon findings
This study collects body samples to help evaluate tests for people with suspected or newly diagnosed colorectal conditions, often around the time of colonoscopy or surgery. Depending on the arm, you may be asked to have a colonoscopy soon or to provide samples before planned surgery.
Springfield, IllinoisAges 45–84 - NCT04883671Recruiting
SBRT to treat a few spots of adenoid cystic cancer
This trial tests whether focused radiation (SBRT) can help control adenoid cystic carcinoma that has spread to a small number of places (oligometastatic disease). If you qualify, the study will treat up to 1–5 metastatic spots that doctors think can be safely targeted, to help control the cancer locally.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04924075RecruitingPhase 2
Belzutifan for cancers linked to VHL or HIF-2α changes
This Phase 2 study tests belzutifan (MK-6482) to treat certain advanced cancers caused by specific gene or disease changes, including VHL-related tumors and HIF-2α related tumors. It may help shrink tumors or slow their growth in people whose cancer matches these genetic or disease patterns.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 12 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.
Alton, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05040360RecruitingPhase 2
Chemotherapy after surgery for high-risk pancreatic NET tumors
This Phase 2 trial studies whether giving chemotherapy after surgery can lower cancer recurrence risk in people with high-risk pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). It may help you by testing an added treatment after the tumor has been removed.
Shiloh, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05120518Recruiting
Donate a child’s tumor tissue for research after passing
This study collects a child’s tumor tissue and cells after death to help researchers learn more about cancers and other tumor conditions. You can take part if the required consent and permission are completed.
Chicago, IllinoisAges Any age - 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.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05211895RecruitingPhase 3
Durvalumab plus domvanalimab after chemoradiation for stage 3 lung cancer
This trial studies whether adding durvalumab and domvanalimab after standard chemoradiation can keep unresectable stage 3 lung cancer from coming back or getting worse. It targets tumors with specific lab test results (including PD-L1 and gene markers).
Elmhurst, IllinoisAges 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.
Carterville, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05245500RecruitingPhase 1
Study drug for solid tumors with MTAP gene deletion
This Phase 1 trial studies MRTX1719, a new medicine, in solid tumors that have a missing MTAP gene (MTAP deletion). It aims to find the safest dose and check how the drug affects the tumor.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+
Cancer trials by city in Illinois
Where these studies are running in Illinois
Institutions with a site for the recruiting cancer studies listed above.
- Northwestern University · 11 studies
- University of Chicago · 6 studies
- University of Illinois · 6 studies
- Carle Cancer Center · 5 studies
- Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville · 5 studies
- Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital · 5 studies
- Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois - Decatur · 4 studies
- Carle at The Riverfront · 4 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.