Clinical trials · Massachusetts
Cancer clinical trials in Massachusetts
We’re tracking 756 recruiting cancer studies with a site in Massachusetts — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in Massachusetts
- NCT03779854RecruitingPhase 2
Preventing graft-versus-host disease in kids after stem cell transplant
This trial tests whether removing certain immune cells (T cells) from the donor transplant can lower the risk of chronic graft-versus-host disease (long-term immune attack after transplant) in children and young adults with blood cancers. If you qualify, it may help improve transplant outcomes while tracking safety and side effects.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 6 months–26 years - NCT06184750RecruitingPhase 2
Finding the best tamoxifen dose to lower breast cancer risk
This trial tests different doses of tamoxifen to find the best one for lowering breast cancer risk in premenopausal women. It aims to see if a lower dose works as well as the standard dose with fewer side effects.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–55 - NCT05633654RecruitingPhase 3
Test drug combo versus standard care for triple-negative breast cancer
This trial tests a cancer antibody-drug combination plus pembrolizumab (immunotherapy) versus standard treatment. It’s for people with triple-negative breast cancer that still has invasive disease in the breast or lymph nodes after surgery and chemotherapy before surgery.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03029325Recruiting
Test genes in lung cancer tissue and samples
This study looks at genetic (DNA) and molecular (cell-level) information related to lung cancer to better understand the disease. You may be invited if you have a confirmed primary lung cancer diagnosis, or if you are healthy with no cancer.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03310879RecruitingPhase 2
Abemaciclib for advanced tumors with cyclin or CDK4/6 gene changes
This Phase 2 study tests abemaciclib, a targeted cancer medicine, in people with advanced solid tumors that have specific gene changes related to cyclin D or CDK4/6. The goal is to see how well it controls tumors when standard treatments don’t work or aren’t available.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03516708RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Epacadostat with pre-op radiation for locally advanced rectal cancer
This trial studies whether adding epacadostat (a cancer drug) to standard pre-operative chemoradiation can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. It’s designed to see if the added treatment is safe and potentially more effective before surgery.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03535545RecruitingPhase 1
PET-MRI imaging test in lung cancer and lung disease
This Phase 1 study tests a radioactive imaging agent to help doctors see disease activity in the lungs using PET/MRI scans. It includes healthy volunteers and people with lung cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung transplant–related lung problems, or certain medication-related lung inflammation.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–80 - NCT03875716Recruiting
De-intensified radiation after surgery for HPV throat cancer
This trial studies a lower-intensity (less aggressive) course of radiation therapy after curative surgery for HPV-related tonsil or base-of-tongue cancer. The goal is to see if patients can still be treated successfully while reducing side effects from radiation.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04134559RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab for kids with liver cancer that came back
This trial studies pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) in children and young people with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that has returned or did not respond to earlier treatment. The goal is to see whether it can shrink tumors and help control the cancer.
Boston, MassachusettsAges birth–30 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04379596RecruitingPhase 2
Testing T-DXd combinations for HER2 stomach or esophagus cancer
This Phase 2 study tests how safe and effective T-DXd (an anti-cancer medicine) is in combination for people with advanced stomach/GEJ/esophagus cancer that is HER2-positive or HER2-low. It may help people whose cancer has spread or cannot be removed, depending on their prior treatments and test results.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–130 - 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04511806Recruiting
Study of inherited cancer risk in children and families
This study looks at how inherited “cancer predisposition” conditions run in families, even if a child has not had cancer yet. It may help doctors better understand who is at higher risk and guide future monitoring or care.
Boston, MassachusettsAges Any age - NCT04541654Recruiting
Study of families with TP53 gene changes in Li-Fraumeni syndrome
This study is looking at how people in families with certain TP53 gene changes (including Li-Fraumeni syndrome) develop health problems over time. It may help doctors better understand risk and improve care for affected families.
Boston, MassachusettsAges Any age - 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04802759RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing drug combinations for recurrent or advanced ER-positive breast cancer
This early-phase trial tests several combinations of cancer medicines to slow or control ER-positive breast cancer that has returned or progressed. It also checks safety and whether tumor or blood biomarkers can help match the right treatment to the right person.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04839614Recruiting
Weight-loss surgery plus uterus surgery for certain uterine lining conditions
This trial tests doing weight-loss surgery at the same time as laparoscopic uterus (womb) surgery for people with certain early uterine lining conditions. It may help lower risk from severe obesity while treating the uterine condition.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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.
Lowell, MassachusettsAges 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–130 - NCT04946370RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Pembrolizumab plus prostate cancer drug, with or without radiation
This early-phase trial tests pembrolizumab (an immune therapy) plus an androgen-receptor–blocking prostate cancer drug, and possibly a targeted radiation treatment. It’s for men with prostate cancer that has spread and keeps worsening despite standard hormone therapy, aiming to shrink tumors and improve control of the disease.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–90
Cancer trials by city in Massachusetts
Where these studies are running in Massachusetts
Institutions with a site for the recruiting cancer studies listed above.
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute · 13 studies
- Massachusetts General Hospital · 7 studies
- Brigham and Women's Hospital · 4 studies
- Boston Children's Hospital · 2 studies
- Boston Medical Center · 2 studies
- Research Site · 2 studies
- Baystate Medical Center
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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 Massachusetts?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 756 recruiting cancer studies with a site in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts?
- 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 Massachusetts to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts 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.