Clinical trials · California
Oncology clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 136 recruiting oncology studies with a site in California — 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 California
- NCT05647265RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy before surgery for sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma
This trial tests adding immunotherapy before surgery to help patients with sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma. The goal is to shrink or control the cancer and make surgery possible, while checking safety.
Napa, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05624996RecruitingPhase 3
Targeted high-dose radiation added to standard lung cancer treatment
This trial tests whether adding high-dose, targeted radiation to the usual treatment helps people with locally advanced, non-operable lung cancer live longer or better control the cancer. It may help shrink tumors in the chest and improve outcomes when surgery can’t be done.
Bakersfield, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03556228RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Tested medicine for tumors with TrkA changes, alone or with pembrolizumab
This early-phase study tests VMD-928, a targeted cancer medicine, for cancers that have TrkA-related tumor changes. It may be given by itself or with pembrolizumab to see if it can shrink tumors when standard treatments have not worked.
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT05504291RecruitingPhase 2
Treatment delivered inside the eye for retinoblastoma
This Phase 2 study tests a way to deliver cancer treatment directly inside the eye to treat retinoblastoma. It may help shrink the tumor while limiting treatment to the eye when possible.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges Up to 18 years - NCT05382338RecruitingPhase 3
Sodium thiosulfate to protect hearing in medulloblastoma
This Phase 3 study tests whether adding sodium thiosulfate during treatment for newly diagnosed medulloblastoma can reduce the risk of hearing loss. It is designed for children and teens whose cancer meets specific low-risk or average-risk tumor and lab features.
Long Beach, CaliforniaAges 4–21 - 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.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05396872Recruiting
Decision-making study about gene testing for advanced prostate cancer
This study looks at how Veterans with advanced prostate cancer make decisions about gene testing and possible targeted treatments, and how patients and caregivers understand the information. It may help by improving decision support for people facing germline and tumor testing choices.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05317858RecruitingPhase 3
Open the brain’s blood barrier to treat lung cancer brain spots
This trial tests whether using focused ultrasound to temporarily open the brain’s blood barrier—plus standard immune therapy—can better treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to the brain. It aims to help medicines reach the brain tumor spots more effectively, while still using the usual lung cancer treatment.
Newport Beach, CaliforniaAges 18–100 - 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.
Encinitas, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05334069Recruiting
Blood test study for early cancer detection in patients
This study collects blood from people with cancer and people without cancer (or with possible cancer) to test whether new blood tests can detect cancer earlier. Your blood samples help researchers evaluate how well these tests work.
Arroyo Grande, CaliforniaAges 40–75 - NCT05304585RecruitingPhase 3
Chemo for children with early, low-risk fusion-negative rhabdomyosarcoma
This Phase 3 study tests a chemotherapy plan for children and teens with newly diagnosed, very low-risk or low-risk rhabdomyosarcoma that does not have certain gene fusions (FOXO1 fusion negative). The goal is to see if this treatment can work well while limiting side effects by matching therapy to early-stage risk.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges Up to 21 years - NCT05303532Enrolling by invitationPhase 3
Continue durvalumab after finishing a prior cancer study
This study lets people who already finished (or can no longer continue) an earlier AstraZeneca cancer treatment study keep receiving durvalumab. It tests whether continuing the same kind of treatment on a regular schedule can help keep your cancer under control.
Newport Beach, CaliforniaAges 18–99 - NCT05235165RecruitingPhase 3
Surgery choice for lung spread of osteosarcoma
This Phase 3 trial compares two ways to remove lung metastases (open surgery vs keyhole surgery) in people with osteosarcoma. It aims to see which approach works better and is safer for patients with a limited number of lung spots that can be removed.
Downey, CaliforniaAges Up to 50 years - NCT05254743RecruitingPhase 3
Pirtobrutinib versus ibrutinib for CLL or SLL
This Phase 3 trial compares two oral medicines—pirtobrutinib and ibrutinib—in people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who need treatment. It’s designed to see which drug works better and is easier to take, especially for people with a specific genetic change in the cancer (17p deletion).
Anaheim, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05176483RecruitingPhase 1
New drug combinations for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug called zanzalintinib, which may slow or shrink various types of advanced cancer. It is given together with other cancer treatments, and the study is looking at many different cancers including kidney, prostate, bladder, lung, liver, and more.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05174169RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Adjuvant colon chemotherapy guided by tumor DNA results
This trial tests whether treatment for colon cancer after surgery can be guided by a blood test that looks for leftover cancer signals (ctDNA). It may help some people choose stronger or different chemo based on whether ctDNA is found after surgery.
Castro Valley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05080673Recruiting
Colonoscopy planning for small, noncancerous colon polyps
This trial tests whether people with 1–2 small, noncancerous colon polyps should get their next colonoscopy after 5 years or after 10 years. It may help reduce unnecessary procedures or find cancers earlier if the shorter interval is safer for you.
Baldwin Park, CaliforniaAges 45–70 - NCT05008848RecruitingPhase 3
Text-based quit smoking program for rural cancer survivors
This trial tests a text message program to help people who have had cancer quit smoking. It is designed for those living in rural areas and aims to see if this program can support them in stopping smoking.
St. Helena, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04870944RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
CBL0137 for children with advanced solid or brain tumors
This early-phase study tests CBL0137 in children and teens whose cancer has come back or is not responding to treatment. It is also for some specific hard-to-treat brain tumors, to see if the drug is safe and can work against the cancer.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 1–21 - NCT04851119RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Tegavivint for kids and young adults with hard-to-treat solid tumors
This early-phase study tests tegavivint to see how well it works and how safe it is for children and young adults with solid cancers that have come back or are not responding. It may be an option if your tumor type (including certain lymphomas or desmoid tumors) matches the study’s rules.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 1–30 - NCT04803201RecruitingPhase 2
Adding new drugs to usual treatment for peripheral T-cell lymphoma
This trial tests whether adding one of two experimental drugs to the standard chemotherapy improves outcomes for people with certain types of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer. It aims to see if the combination is safe and effective.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 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.
Auburn, CaliforniaAges 50–70 - NCT04684368RecruitingPhase 2
New treatment for children and young adults with a brain tumor
This trial tests a new treatment approach for a rare brain tumor called NGGCT. It aims to see if a different way of treating the tumor can be effective and safe for children and young adults.
Downey, CaliforniaAges 3–29 - NCT04726241RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing blood and bone marrow samples in young leukemia patients
This trial looks at blood and bone marrow samples from children and teens whose leukemia has come back or is hard to treat. The goal is to better understand the disease and guide future options for these patients.
Downey, CaliforniaAges Up to 22 years
Oncology trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting oncology studies listed above.
- UCSF Medical Center · 9 studies
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles · 8 studies
- Kaiser Permanente-Oakland · 8 studies
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · 7 studies
- Children's Hospital of Orange County · 7 studies
- PCR Oncology · 7 studies
- Loma Linda University Medical Center · 6 studies
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford · 6 studies
What taking part in a oncology 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.
Oncology trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there oncology clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 136 recruiting oncology studies with a site in California, 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 oncology study in California?
- 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 California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, 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 oncology 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 oncology studies open in California 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.