Clinical trials
Refractory clinical trials
Below are recruiting refractory clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 1,203 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT03948048Recruiting
ECMO timing study for children with hard-to-treat septic shock
This trial looks at whether and when a heart-lung machine called ECMO should be used in children whose septic shock is not responding to standard treatment. It may help doctors choose the best timing to improve survival and recovery in the PICU.
ShanghaiAges 4 weeks–18 years - NCT04288726RecruitingPhase 1
CAR T-cell trial for CD30-positive lymphomas that came back
This early-phase study tests a donor-made immune cell treatment designed to attack CD30-positive lymphomas that are relapsed or refractory. If you qualify, it could help by finding a safer, effective way to control the lymphoma using engineered T-cells.
Houston, TexasAges 12–75 - NCT04010526RecruitingPhase 2
Local treatment for Crohn’s fistulas using your own fat cells
This Phase 2 trial studies whether a local injection of fat-derived cells (made from your own tissue) can improve difficult Crohn’s disease fistulas around the anus. It’s designed for people whose Crohn’s fistulas have not responded to usual treatments.
Marseille, PACAAges 18 years+ - NCT04039633Recruiting
Spinal cord stimulation study for chronic erythromelalgia pain
This trial tests whether spinal cord stimulation (a device that sends mild electrical signals to the spinal cord) can reduce chronic pain from erythromelalgia when medicines have not helped. You may need to try stimulation for two weeks first, and you will likely feel tingling during that test.
HaldenAges 18 years+ - NCT04049539RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Vyxeos for AML that stays after initial chemotherapy
This trial tests whether Vyxeos (a type of chemotherapy) can treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that did not fully go away after standard induction (“7+3”) chemotherapy. It targets people whose leukemia is still present in the bone marrow and need a stronger “re-induction” treatment.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT04079179RecruitingPhase 2
Cobimetinib for difficult Langerhans cell and similar disorders
This Phase 2 trial studies cobimetinib, a medicine that targets a specific growth-and-signal pathway, to treat stubborn (refractory or worsening) Langerhans cell histiocytosis and related disorders. It may help shrink active disease or stop disease from progressing.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges Any age - NCT04093388Recruiting
At-home Pap test to improve cervical screening in rural areas
This study looks at using a self-collected Pap test (a sample you collect yourself) to help people get routine cervical cancer screening. It may help improve screening rates, especially for those in rural areas where getting to a clinic can be harder.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 21–65 - 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 - NCT04144972Recruiting
Closed-loop deep brain stimulation for long-lasting nerve pain
This trial tests a “smart” deep brain stimulation device that senses your brain signals and adjusts treatment to reduce severe, long-lasting pain. It may help people whose pain has not improved with multiple pain medicines and surgery cannot fix the cause.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–80 - NCT04150497RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing a new cell therapy for CD22-positive leukemia
This trial tests UCART22, a new cell-based treatment, for people with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) that has the CD22 marker. It may help by attacking leukemia cells that carry CD22.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 15–50 - NCT04162353RecruitingPhase 1
CAR cell therapy trial for multiple myeloma and related cancers
This early-phase (Phase 1) trial tests a lab-made immune-cell treatment that targets two markers, BCMA and CD19, in people whose cancer has not responded to standard options. It’s meant to see if the treatment is safe and how well it can work in these cancers.
Shenzhen, GuangdongAges Any age - NCT04170491Recruiting
EEG monitoring for ongoing seizures in ICU
This trial studies whether using EEG (a brain-wave test) in the ICU can help guide care for people whose seizures keep going despite initial medicines. It may benefit patients with severe, difficult-to-stop status epilepticus by improving how doctors find and treat ongoing seizure activity.
LondonAges 16 years+ - NCT04185038RecruitingPhase 1
CAR T therapy through a catheter for pediatric brain tumors
This Phase 1 trial tests a personalized immune-cell treatment (CAR T) delivered directly in the brain-area space using a catheter. It may help children and young adults with hard-to-treat (recurrent or refractory) diffuse midline brain tumors like DIPG/DMG when standard options aren’t working.
Seattle, WashingtonAges 1–26 - NCT04186520RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
CAR T-cell treatment for hard-to-treat B-cell lymphomas
This trial studies a type of lab-made immune cell therapy (CAR T) using cells called CAR-20/19-T. It is for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell cancers, aiming to reduce or eliminate lymphoma in people whose disease has come back or not responded to standard treatments.
Milwaukee, WisconsinAges 18–80 - NCT04197596RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
BK infection immune-cell treatment after transplant or weak immunity
This Phase 1/2 study tests lab-made immune cells that specifically target BK virus in people whose BK infection keeps coming back or doesn’t improve. It may help by boosting the body’s ability to clear the virus, especially when standard antiviral treatments don’t work or can’t be tolerated.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 1 month–79 years - NCT04208828Recruiting
IVIG for difficult gastrointestinal auto-immune nerve symptoms
This trial tests intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), a donated antibody treatment, for people whose gastrointestinal (GI) “motor” symptoms are not improving with standard care and may be auto-immune related. If you’re eligible, IVIG could help calm the immune system and improve gut movement symptoms.
Louisville, KentuckyAges 12–90 - NCT04211675RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Test NK cell infusions with irinotecan, temozolomide, and dinutuximab
This early-phase study tests whether giving donated NK cells with three medicines can shrink neuroblastoma that has come back or not responded well to prior treatment. It’s designed for people who have limited options, and the goal is to see safety and whether the combination works.
Columbus, OhioAges Up to 29 years - NCT04227015RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Study of a CD19 CAR T-cell treatment for relapsed leukemia
This early-phase trial tests an injected “CAR T” cell therapy made to attack CD19-positive blood cancers that have come back or did not respond. If you qualify, the study checks whether the treatment can help control the cancer and is safe enough to study further.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 3–70 - NCT04243785RecruitingPhase 1
Testing BTX-A51 for hard-to-treat AML or high-risk MDS
This Phase 1 study tests BTX-A51 in adults with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It’s designed to see if the treatment can be given safely and to learn how it works in people whose standard treatments have not helped or are no longer an option.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04260022RecruitingPhase 1
Drug study for hard-to-treat CML or Ph+ ALL
This Phase 1 study tests HQP1351 for people with CML or Ph+ ALL that has not responded well to standard targeted pills (TKIs), or those who could not tolerate them. It’s designed to see whether the treatment can work and how safe it is for this difficult-to-treat group.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18 years+ - NCT04289467RecruitingPhase 2
Fenfluramine for stubborn infantile spasms
This Phase 2 trial studies fenfluramine to treat infantile spasms that haven’t improved after standard medicines (ACTH and vigabatrin). If you/your child has ongoing seizures, the study may offer another treatment option and will monitor safety closely, especially heart-related side effects.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 1–3 - NCT04300998Recruiting
CAR-T therapy study for older adults
This study looks at how well CAR-T cell therapy works and how safely it can be given to older adults. It is for people whose cancer or related blood condition has come back or did not respond, and who are receiving a standard (commercial) CAR-T product.
New York, New YorkAges 60 years+ - NCT04321408Recruiting
Study of ziconotide pain treatment in routine care
This study follows adults with severe, long-lasting pain that has not responded to other treatments, to see how the pain medicine ziconotide works in everyday clinical practice. You may be considered if you’re being evaluated for an implanted pain-delivery system that gives ziconotide into the spinal fluid.
AngersAges 18 years+ - NCT04421560RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Testing pembrolizumab, ibrutinib, and rituximab for PCNSL
This Phase 1/2 study tests how well a combination of pembrolizumab, ibrutinib, and rituximab treats primary CNS lymphoma that came back or didn’t respond after prior brain treatment. It may help shrink the lymphoma and control it in the brain and fluid around the brain.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for refractory?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 1,203 recruiting refractory 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 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 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.