Clinical trials
Refractory clinical trials
Below are recruiting refractory clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 1,200 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT04771572RecruitingPhase 1
Oral drug LP-118 for relapsed blood cancers
This Phase 1 study tests an oral (by mouth) drug called LP-118 in people whose blood cancers have returned or did not respond to prior treatment. The goal is to find a safe dose and see whether it can shrink or control the cancer.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 13 years+ - NCT04699591Recruiting
Domperidone for severe stomach movement problems
This trial looks at whether domperidone can help people ages 12–21 with symptoms from stomach not moving well when usual treatments haven’t worked. It’s designed for cases where other causes have been ruled out and patients are monitored for possible heart and hormone side effects.
Kansas City, MissouriAges 12–21 - NCT04716452RecruitingPhase 1
Testing a ceramide liposome drug for relapsed or resistant AML
This Phase 1 trial tests a new targeted treatment (C6 ceramide in a tiny fat-like capsule) for adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has come back or did not respond to treatment. The goal is to see how the drug works and how safe it is in this setting.
Charlottesville, VirginiaAges 18 years+ - NCT04643002RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Isatuximab added to other drugs for relapsed myeloma
This early-phase study tests isatuximab (an anti-cancer antibody) combined with other study medicines in people whose multiple myeloma has come back or not responded. It aims to improve control of the disease after you’ve already had multiple prior treatments.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAges 18 years+ - NCT04634552RecruitingPhase 2
Talquetamab study for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma
This trial studies talquetamab, a medicine given to treat multiple myeloma that has come back or did not respond to prior treatment. It may help shrink tumors and improve disease control, depending on how your myeloma measures and your health status.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18 years+ - NCT04491929Recruiting
Radiation treatment for colon cancer in the liver using tiny beads
This trial studies a targeted liver radiation procedure that uses tiny radioactive beads to treat colon cancer spread mostly in the liver. It may help people whose liver tumors cannot be removed or treated with other common local treatments, but it has several safety and “screening” checks.
Aarhus N, DanmarkAges 18 years+ - NCT04515810Recruiting
Mobile app coaching for planning care after serious cancer
This study tests a mobile health app (PACT) to help people with advanced cancer talk and plan for future care. It may help you and a loved one stay engaged in advance care planning (planning what care you want and who should speak for you).
Manhasset, New YorkAges 18 years+ - NCT04493164RecruitingPhase 2
CPX-351 plus ivosidenib for IDH1-mutated leukemia or high-risk MDS
This trial tests CPX-351 together with ivosidenib in people with IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It aims to improve disease control, especially in tumors with a specific genetic change called IDH1.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT04510636RecruitingPhase 2
Pembrolizumab and bendamustine for Hodgkin lymphoma
This study tests whether combining the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) with the chemotherapy bendamustine can help people with Hodgkin lymphoma whose cancer returned or did not respond to earlier treatment. The goal is to see if this two-drug combination works better than either drug alone.
Toronto, OntarioAges 18 years+ - NCT04512716RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Radioimmunotherapy then CD19 CAR T for hard-to-treat blood cancers
This early-phase study tests a two-step treatment: first a targeted radioactive antibody (131-I apamistamab) and then CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. It is for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that is not responding or has come back, aiming to shrink cancer using engineered immune cells.
Basking Ridge, New JerseyAges 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+ - 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+ - 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 - 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 - 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+ - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT04050280RecruitingPhase 2
Testing an antibody drug for relapsed or hard-to-treat AML
This trial studies a drug called CLAG-GO (an antibody with chemotherapy drugs attached) in adults with AML that has come back or did not respond to treatment. It aims to improve outcomes for people whose leukemia is persistent, relapsed, or refractory.
Baltimore, MarylandAges 18 years+ - 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 - 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 - NCT03986034RecruitingPhase 2
Venetoclax study in relapsed CLL using early tumor tracking
This trial tests how well venetoclax (a targeted pill for CLL) works in people whose CLL has come back or hasn’t responded. It also closely tracks early changes in the CLL cells to better understand what happens during treatment.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–85 - NCT03934372RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Ponatinib for children with relapsed or hard-to-treat cancers
This trial tests a targeted therapy called ponatinib in children whose leukemia, lymphoma, or solid tumor has come back or hasn't improved with standard treatments. The drug works by blocking signals that help cancer cells grow, and the study looks at how safe and effective it is for different cancer types.
GhentAges 1–17
Hear when a new Refractory trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for refractory?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 1,200 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.