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
- NCT04968834Recruiting
Collecting children’s and young adults’ blood and marrow for genetic testing
This study collects and stores blood and bone marrow samples from young people with certain blood cancers so doctors can do genetic (“genomic”) testing now and in the future. It may help improve understanding of the disease and support better matching of care for patients.
Boston, MassachusettsAges Up to 30 years - NCT06422806RecruitingPhase 3
Immunotherapy plus chemo for aggressive sarcoma
This trial compares a combination of immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy (doxorubicin) versus chemotherapy alone for people with aggressive, poorly differentiated sarcomas that have spread or cannot be removed. The goal is to see if adding immunotherapy helps shrink tumors or slow their growth better than chemotherapy alone.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT02984761Recruiting
Surgery vs focused radiation for early lung cancer
This trial compares two ways to treat early-stage lung cancer: surgery or a precise type of radiation called stereotactic radiotherapy. It aims to find out which approach works best for people whose cancer is small and has not spread.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03053193Recruiting
Testing gene activity to guide breast cancer treatment
This study links breast tumor test results from MammaPrint and optional BluePrint (and full genetic data) with real-world clinical information to understand which new gene activity patterns matter. It may help future patients by improving how doctors use these tests to guide care.
Springfield, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03113643RecruitingPhase 1
SL-401 with standard drugs for hard-to-treat blood cancers
This Phase 1 study tests SL-401, given with azacitidine and sometimes venetoclax, to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). It aims to find a safe dose and see whether the combination can improve blood cancer control.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03216525RecruitingPhase 3
Alvimopan vs placebo to reduce bowel slowdown after bladder surgery
This trial tests whether alvimopan, a medicine given around the time of bladder removal surgery, can help your bowels start working sooner after surgery compared with a placebo (inactive pill). It may help shorten recovery by reducing bowel-related side effects on an enhanced recovery plan.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–85 - NCT03448926Recruiting
DCIS test registry to guide radiation and drug decisions
This study collects information from people with breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to see how a specific lab test (DCISionRT) may help predict who benefits from radiation and/or certain medications. Your results and clinical details are gathered during routine care, not necessarily to change treatment right away.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 30–85 - NCT03471260RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Ivosidenib and venetoclax for IDH1-mutated leukemia or MDS
This Phase 1/2 study tests whether the medicines ivosidenib and venetoclax (with or without azacitidine) can help people with certain “IDH1-mutated” blood cancers like AML or high-risk MDS. It’s meant for patients whose disease has come back, doesn’t respond, or who can’t safely get standard chemotherapy.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03492151Recruiting
Scans pancreatic cysts during a biopsy procedure
This trial tests a special camera (confocal laser endomicroscopy) used during an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy to help tell what type of pancreatic cyst is present. It may help doctors decide faster whether surgery is needed.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03550391RecruitingPhase 3
Surgery-like brain radiation vs avoiding the memory center
This trial compares two ways of giving radiation to the brain for people with 5 or more brain metastases: focused stereotactic radiosurgery, or a whole-brain approach that tries to spare the memory area (with memantine). It aims to see which method better protects thinking and memory while still treating the tumors.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03623958Recruiting
Image-guided minimally invasive lung surgery versus standard surgery
This study compares an image-guided version of a minimally invasive lung surgery to the standard approach for removing small lung nodules. It may help doctors improve planning and targeting of the nodule during surgery.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03659448RecruitingPhase 3
Test drug that helps map colon and rectal cancer during surgery
This Phase 3 study tests SGM-101, a drug used during surgery to help doctors better outline primary, recurrent, and spread (metastatic) colorectal cancer. It may improve how completely tumors are identified and removed during an operation.
Worcester, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03683680Recruiting
Collecting pleural tissue samples to study mesothelioma markers
This study collects tissue samples (from the lining around the lung) from adults with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Researchers will use these samples to check whether certain test markers can predict how the disease may behave, which could guide treatment decisions in the future.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03749980Recruiting
Study following people with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)
This study follows people who have von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) over time to better understand how the condition changes. It may help doctors plan future treatments by collecting long-term health information.
Boston, MassachusettsAges Any age - NCT03750513RecruitingPhase 1
Tested improved radiation targeting for children with ependymoma
This early-phase study tests a more precisely targeted type of radiation for children with ependymoma, aiming to treat the brain tumor more accurately. It may help reduce how much healthy tissue gets radiation, and researchers are checking safety and best dosing.
Boston, MassachusettsAges Up to 22 years - NCT03824483RecruitingPhase 2
Testing three drugs for CLL, SLL, or mantle cell lymphoma
This Phase 2 study tests zanubrutinib, obinutuzumab, and venetoclax together in people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL), or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). It aims to shrink cancer and improve control of the disease, especially when treatment choices are limited.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03830320RecruitingPhase 1
PET scan to look for blood clots in the heart or lungs
This Phase 1 study uses a PET scan to detect blood clots (thrombosis) in specific groups of people. It’s testing how well the scan can find clots and how it should be timed with other heart or illness tests.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–85 - NCT03848962Recruiting
Share leftover or collected samples for research
This study helps collect and share human samples (like blood or other specimens) so researchers can do new studies. It’s mainly about providing samples for research use, not testing a treatment on you.
Lexington, MassachusettsAges 1 month–89 years - 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT03922555RecruitingPhase 1
ASTX727 for IDH-mutant low-grade brain tumors
This early-stage study tests ASTX727 in adults with IDH-mutant gliomas that are coming back or progressing. It aims to see whether the medicine can slow the tumor and understand how it works in the body and tumor tissue.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT05132283Recruiting
Lymph node removal for urologic cancers with advanced imaging
This study uses a special MRI scanner in the operating room to help guide lymph node removal during surgery for urologic cancers like bladder, prostate, testicular, kidney, urethral, or penile cancer. It aims to see if this real-time imaging can make the surgery more precise.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT04024761RecruitingPhase 1
NK cell therapy for leukemia relapse after transplant
This Phase 1 study tests whether an infusion of special immune cells (NK cells) from a donor can help control leukemia or related blood cancers that come back or do not fully go away after a stem cell transplant. It also uses short chemotherapy to “make space” for the NK cells to work, and IL-2 to help them function.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 12 years+ - NCT04028531Recruiting
Understanding chronic lymphocytic leukemia in clinic patients
This study aims to learn more about chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and closely related conditions. It may help researchers better understand who gets CLL and how it behaves over time, which can improve future care.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 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.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+
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 · 10 studies
- Brigham and Women's Hospital · 5 studies
- Massachusetts General Hospital · 5 studies
- Boston Children's Hospital · 2 studies
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- iSpecimen
- Local Institution - 0039
- Local Institution - 0081
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.