Clinical trials · Illinois
Cancer clinical trials in Illinois
We’re tracking 681 recruiting cancer studies with a site in Illinois — 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 Illinois
- NCT06274047RecruitingPhase 3
Hormone Therapy Timing for Prostate Cancer After Surgery
This trial compares two ways of giving hormone therapy (apalutamide) along with radiation after prostate removal surgery. It aims to see which approach helps maintain quality of life while controlling cancer.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06827236RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing a new combination treatment for advanced breast cancer
This study tests two experimental drugs, BNT323 and BNT327, together in people with advanced breast cancer. The goal is to find the best dose and see if the combination is safe and helpful.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06340568RecruitingPhase 3
Study of an experimental drug vs. chemo for recurring uterine cancer
This trial is testing an experimental therapy against standard chemotherapy for people with endometrial cancer that has come back. The study looks for a certain protein (HER2) on cancer cells to decide which treatment group you may be in.
Peoria, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT03151629Recruiting
Registry for men with advanced prostate cancer
This study is a worldwide registry that collects health information from men with advanced prostate cancer. It may help researchers better understand disease patterns and outcomes, which can guide future treatments.
Warrenville, IllinoisAges 21 years+ - NCT03418961RecruitingPhase 3
Study of heart-risk management for metastatic HER2 breast cancer
This trial follows people with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who are at higher risk for heart damage while on HER2-targeted therapy. Some participants are randomly assigned to different monitoring/heart-protection approaches to see what best helps keep the heart safe.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT03686124RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Tested immune therapy for certain HLA-A2 positive solid tumors
This trial studies an immune-based cancer treatment (IMA203/IMA203CD8) either alone or with nivolumab in people whose solid tumors have come back or will not respond to standard care. It may help by training the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells that match the trial’s test requirements.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT03816345RecruitingPhase 1
Nivolumab for advanced cancer with autoimmune conditions
This Phase 1 study tests nivolumab, an immunotherapy “anti-cancer accelerator,” in people with advanced cancer who also have an autoimmune disorder. It aims to see if nivolumab can be given safely and whether it may help shrink or control cancer.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06592924RecruitingPhase 3
Adding chemo to hormone therapy for prostate cancer with slow PSA drop
This trial tests if adding docetaxel chemotherapy helps men whose PSA hasn't dropped enough after at least 6 months of standard hormone therapy (ADT) plus an ARPI pill (like abiraterone or enzalutamide) for metastatic prostate cancer that still responds to hormones.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05451004RecruitingPhase 3
SPECT-CT test to target neck radiation on one side
This study tests whether using a special scan (SPECT-CT) can guide radiation treatment to only the safer/needed side of the neck in people with a one-sided oropharyngeal cancer. It aims to keep cancer control while potentially reducing side effects from unnecessary radiation.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06205485RecruitingPhase 3
Chemotherapy and surgery vs chemoradiation for rectal cancer
This trial compares two approaches for early-stage rectal cancer: chemotherapy plus local surgery versus standard chemoradiotherapy. It aims to see if less intensive treatment can work just as well, reducing side effects.
Aurora, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT06686771RecruitingPhase 3
Radiation for limited growth in advanced lung cancer on immunotherapy
This trial tests whether giving high-precision radiation to a few spots that are growing during immunotherapy (with or without chemotherapy) can help people with advanced lung cancer. It aims to see if treating these limited areas of resistance can extend the time the cancer stays under control.
Alton, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04918186RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy for platinum-resistant ovarian, with tumor testing
This Phase 2 study tests an immunotherapy approach for women whose high-grade serous ovarian cancer came back within 6 months of platinum chemotherapy. It may help shrink tumors and improve control of the disease, but you’ll need tumor biopsies and lab/heart/lung checks to join.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04333537RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Sentinel node biopsy versus standard neck surgery for early mouth cancer
This trial compares two ways of checking whether early oral cavity squamous cell cancer has spread to neck lymph nodes. It tests whether sentinel lymph node biopsy can find spread as well as standard neck dissection, while potentially reducing more extensive surgery for some people.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04468061RecruitingPhase 2
Study chemo drug plus immunotherapy for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
This trial tests sacituzumab govitecan (an antibody-drug medicine) with or without pembrolizumab (an immune-system therapy) in people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. It may help by shrinking tumors and improving immune control, especially for patients with specific tumor marker results.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04510597RecruitingPhase 3
Immunotherapy plus surgery versus immunotherapy alone for kidney cancer
This study tests whether adding surgery to remove the kidney improves outcomes compared with continuing immunotherapy without surgery. It is for people with metastatic kidney cancer whose disease has not worsened after initial immunotherapy.
Barrington, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04609072Recruiting
Cancer prevention program for adults ages 30 to 70
This trial is a low-risk cancer prevention study that enrolls adults to help support healthier choices and early prevention efforts. It may help you stay on track with prevention guidance through participating healthcare programs.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 30–70 - NCT04841148RecruitingPhase 2
Avelumab or hydroxychloroquine to target hidden breast cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests whether adding different medicines—either avelumab or hydroxychloroquine, with or without palbociclib—can eliminate dormant “leftover” breast cancer cells. It’s meant for people with hormone-receptor–positive breast cancer who have no visible cancer now, but still have detectable dormant cells in the bone marrow.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT04891068RecruitingPhase 2
Pre-surgery low-dose azacitidine for high-risk early breast cancer
This trial studies whether giving a low dose of azacitidine before surgery can shrink or control high-risk early breast cancer. It’s meant for adults whose cancer has not yet spread to distant organs.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05887609RecruitingPhase 2
Maintenance treatment for FRalpha-positive ovarian or endometrial cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests a combination of two medicines (mirvetuximab soravtansine and olaparib) as ongoing “maintenance” treatment after your best response to prior platinum chemotherapy. It may help keep cancer from growing longer in certain women whose tumors strongly match a specific marker (FRalpha).
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–100 - NCT05029999RecruitingPhase 1
Test drugs for HER2-negative advanced breast cancer
This Phase 1 trial tests a combination of immune-targeting drugs (a CD40 medicine and a substance that helps immune cells act) plus chemotherapy in people with HER2-negative advanced breast cancer that has progressed. It aims to find a safer dose and see whether the treatment can shrink tumors or slow the cancer.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–99 - NCT05327686RecruitingPhase 2
Adding focused radiation to immunotherapy for kidney cancer
This Phase 2 trial studies whether adding focused, high-precision radiation to immunotherapy helps people with advanced kidney cancer (that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread). It aims to improve cancer control by combining two treatment approaches.
Alton, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05363280RecruitingPhase 2
Second-treatment study for lung or kidney cancer after initial therapy
This Phase 2 study tests a new treatment for people with small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, or kidney cancer after they have finished their first main treatment. It may help shrink tumors or control the cancer further.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05408845RecruitingPhase 2
Study drug vs standard care for HER2 salivary gland cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests how well ado-trastuzumab emtansine (and compares to two standard treatment options) works for salivary gland cancers that are HER2-positive or HER2-low. It aims to see whether the study drug can control cancer better and with acceptable side effects.
Danville, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT05420948RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab with chemotherapy for returning or spread head cancer
This Phase 2 study tests pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) plus chemotherapy to treat head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. You might be eligible if standard local treatments won’t be curative and your tumor can be measured on scans.
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.
- University of Chicago · 11 studies
- Northwestern University · 9 studies
- University of Illinois · 6 studies
- Carle at The Riverfront · 5 studies
- Carle Cancer Center · 5 studies
- Carle Physician Group-Effingham · 5 studies
- Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston · 5 studies
- Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville · 5 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 681 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.