Clinical trials
Refractory Cancer clinical trials
Below are recruiting refractory cancer clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 275 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT00107289RecruitingPhase 2
MIBG radioactive iodine treatment for hard-to-treat childhood tumors
This trial studies a radioactive medicine called iodine I-131 MIBG to shrink tumors that take up MIBG. It may help people whose neuroblastoma or malignant pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma has come back, progressed, or not responded to standard treatment.
New York, New YorkAges 1 year+ - NCT06399640RecruitingPhase 1
Eltanexor and Venetoclax for relapsed MDS or AML
This trial tests two oral drugs, eltanexor and venetoclax, for people with MDS or AML that came back or did not get better after prior treatment. The goal is to see if this combination can help control the cancer.
Memphis, TennesseeAges 18 years+ - NCT03136146RecruitingPhase 2
Chemo for return or non-responsive blood cancers
This Phase 2 study tests a combination chemotherapy plan for certain leukemia and lymphoma types that have come back or did not respond. It may help shrink or control disease when standard treatment is no longer working.
Houston, TexasAges 15 years+ - NCT06965114RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing tovorafenib plus rituximab for hairy cell leukemia
This trial tests a new drug combination (tovorafenib and rituximab) for people with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) whose cancer has a specific genetic change called BRAF V600E. It looks at safety and how well the drugs work, both for people who have had treatment before and for those who have not.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18 years+ - NCT05024552RecruitingPhase 1
Vyxeos plus gilteritinib for certain relapsed AML
This Phase 1 trial studies whether combining Vyxeos (a chemotherapy) with gilteritinib (a targeted drug) can treat AML that has come back or hasn’t responded well, specifically AML with certain FLT3 mutations. If it works, it could improve chances of controlling the leukemia.
Tampa, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT07347314RecruitingPhase 2
Enfortumab vedotin for advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma
This trial tests a drug called enfortumab vedotin for people with advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma that has worsened after platinum-based chemotherapy. The goal is to see if it can shrink tumors or slow the disease.
FukuokaAges 18 years+ - NCT07673367RecruitingPhase 2
Nemtabrutinib with CAR T for relapsed mantle cell lymphoma
This trial tests adding a targeted pill (nemtabrutinib) to standard CAR T-cell therapy for people with mantle cell lymphoma that has come back or not responded to treatment. The goal is to see if this combination works better than CAR T alone.
Nashville, TennesseeAges 18 years+ - NCT05336383RecruitingPhase 2
Radiation after prior CAR T for relapsed multiple myeloma
This trial tests giving “salvage” radiation (radiation meant to control remaining cancer) after you’ve already had BCMA CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma. It’s for people whose PET or other scan still shows active myeloma at least 30 days after CAR-T, and who have a spot that radiation can target.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT04119024RecruitingPhase 1
Gene-edited immune cells for advanced melanoma or solid tumors
This Phase 1 study tests a gene-modified immune cell treatment for advanced cancers that don’t have standard curative options. It may help by attacking cancer cells that show a specific marker called IL13Rα2 after patients receive “conditioning” chemotherapy to prepare the immune system.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT07356154RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of revumenib and mezigdomide for leukemia
This trial tests two experimental drugs, revumenib and mezigdomide, for people with acute leukemia that has certain genetic changes (NPM1, KMT2A, or NUP98) and has come back or not responded to prior treatment. The goal is to see if this combination can help control the leukemia.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT07609030Recruiting
Brain Training During CAR-T Cell Cancer Treatment
This study tests whether special brain exercises can help protect thinking and memory skills during CAR-T cell therapy—a newer cancer treatment for certain blood cancers. Researchers want to see if training your brain during treatment reduces side effects on memory and mental function.
Columbus, OhioAges 18 years+ - NCT06761417RecruitingPhase 2
Liposomal mitoxantrone for children and young adults with relapsed solid tumors
This trial tests a new form of chemotherapy (liposomal mitoxantrone) for children, adolescents, and young adults whose solid tumors have come back or not responded to treatment. The goal is to see if this combination regimen can help shrink tumors.
BeijingAges 6–24 - NCT06213311RecruitingPhase 2
CAR T-cells plus antibody drug for relapsed large B-cell lymphoma
This trial tests two immune-based treatments—first a special type of immunotherapy (CAR T-cells, called axi-cel), then a targeted antibody drug (glofitamab)—for people with large B-cell lymphoma that did not fully respond to their first treatment or came back within a year. The goal is to see if this combination can help more people achieve lasting remission.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT07398599Recruiting
Double-dose targeted therapy plus chemo for lung cancer spread to brain lining
This trial tests a stronger dose of an EGFR-targeted drug combined with bevacizumab and chemotherapy into the spinal fluid for patients with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to the lining of the brain and is no longer responding to standard treatment.
Nanchang, JiangxiAges 18–99 - NCT06223542RecruitingPhase 1
TAK-243 for advanced cancers that haven't responded to other treatments
This trial tests a new drug called TAK-243 for people with advanced cancers (solid tumors or lymphomas) that have not responded to other treatments. It aims to see if the drug is safe and how well it works.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18 years+ - NCT06466395RecruitingPhase 1
Hyper-CVAD plus venetoclax for relapsed pediatric leukemia
This trial tests a combination of chemotherapy drugs (hyper-CVAD) plus a targeted pill called venetoclax for children and young adults with a type of leukemia that has returned or not responded to treatment. The goal is to see if this combo can help control the leukemia.
Houston, TexasAges 2–21 - NCT07720310Enrolling by invitation
CAR-T cell therapy for hard-to-treat lupus
This trial tests a new immune cell therapy (CAR-T) for people with lupus that hasn't gotten better with standard treatments. The goal is to see if these modified cells can calm the overactive immune system and improve symptoms.
Lyasny, Minsk OblastAges 18–70 - NCT05529069RecruitingPhase 2
Testing pirtobrutinib plus venetoclax for relapsed mantle cell lymphoma
This Phase 2 trial tests how well the combination of pirtobrutinib and venetoclax works for people with mantle cell lymphoma that has come back or did not respond to treatment. It’s meant to help shrink the lymphoma and improve outcomes after prior therapies.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT01804634RecruitingPhase 2
Reduced-intensity stem cell transplant for high-risk solid tumors
This trial tests a less intense type of bone marrow (stem cell) transplant from a partly matched family donor for people with high-risk solid tumors. It aims to lower treatment intensity while still using the donor’s immune system to help control the cancer.
Baltimore, MarylandAges 1–50 - NCT01371630RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Inotuzumab plus chemotherapy for certain types of childhood-like leukemia
This early-phase trial studies how well a targeted drug (inotuzumab ozogamicin) combined with chemotherapy treats acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It may help people with newly diagnosed ALL who may not tolerate standard intensive chemotherapy, especially older adults.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT06484062RecruitingPhase 1
Testing cirtuvivint alone and with ASTX727 for leukemia and MDS
This trial tests a new drug called cirtuvivint, given alone or with another drug (ASTX727), for people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) that has come back or not responded to treatment, and for people with high-risk MDS who have not been treated before. The goal is to see if these combinations work better than current options.
New Haven, ConnecticutAges 18 years+ - NCT07181941RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing lower doses of linvoseltamab for multiple myeloma
This trial tests if a lower dose of linvoseltamab can still work well for people with multiple myeloma that has come back or not responded to treatment. It aims to reduce side effects while keeping the cancer under control.
Seattle, WashingtonAges 18 years+ - NCT06660368RecruitingPhase 2
A study of a drug combo for relapsed or refractory AML
This trial tests a combination of targeted therapy (venetoclax) and chemotherapy (cladribine, cytarabine, G-CSF, mitoxantrone) for people with acute myeloid leukemia that has come back or not responded to previous treatment. It aims to see if this combination can help achieve remission.
Tampa, FloridaAges 18–80 - NCT04616560RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
New drug for recurrent Wilms tumor, osteosarcoma, and DSRCT
This trial tests a targeted drug called trastuzumab deruxtecan for children and young adults with certain cancers that have come back or not responded to treatment. It may help if your tumor has not responded to standard therapies.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 12–39
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for refractory cancer?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 275 recruiting refractory cancer studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a refractory cancer trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a refractory cancer trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
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.