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
- 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 - NCT03911388RecruitingPhase 1
HSV G207 for Children with Recurrent Cerebellar Brain Tumors
This trial is testing a virus called HSV G207, which is injected directly into the tumor, to treat children and young adults with a type of brain tumor in the cerebellum that has come back or not responded to standard treatments.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 3–22 - NCT02961101RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Anti–PD-1 immunotherapy with or without chemo for hard-to-treat cancers
This early-phase study tests an anti–PD-1 antibody, either alone or with decitabine or chemotherapy, in people whose cancer has come back or isn’t responding to treatment. It may help your immune system attack the cancer, especially after prior therapies.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 12–75 - NCT03739827Recruiting
Study rare solid tumors and collect your health samples
This study follows people (and sometimes family members) connected to rare solid tumors and collects health information and samples (biospecimens). It helps researchers understand how these cancers develop and builds resources for future research, which may benefit you by contributing to better tailored care for rare cancers.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 4 weeks+ - NCT03761108RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of linvoseltamab for hard-to-treat multiple myeloma
This trial tests linvoseltamab, an experimental antibody medicine, in adults whose multiple myeloma has come back or does not respond to treatment. It may help some people by targeting myeloma cells after multiple prior therapies have failed.
Miami, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT03738072Recruiting
Test of brain electrical stimulation to plan epilepsy surgery
This study looks at how using a mild electrical stimulation in the brain may help doctors plan surgery for people with drug-resistant focal (partial) epilepsy. It happens during a hospital procedure to map the seizure areas (SEEG), so it may help improve where surgery targets.
ToulouseAges 12–65 - NCT03826992RecruitingPhase 1
Study drug Venetoclax plus Vyxeos for hard-to-treat leukemia
This Phase 1 study tests whether a combination of venetoclax and Vyxeos can treat children and young adults with certain relapsed or treatment-resistant acute leukemias. It may help shrink the leukemia or improve blood counts when standard treatments have not worked.
Cincinnati, OhioAges 1–39 - NCT03661307RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of quizartinib, decitabine, and venetoclax for acute myeloid leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome
This trial combines three drugs to treat certain types of leukemia or a related blood condition. It may be an option for people who cannot have standard intensive chemo, or for those whose disease has come back.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT03681561RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Nivolumab plus ruxolitinib for relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma
This trial tests nivolumab (an immune therapy) combined with ruxolitinib (a drug that targets immune signaling) for people whose classical Hodgkin lymphoma has come back or did not respond. It may help shrink the lymphoma and improve disease control after prior treatments, including checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18 years+ - NCT03459534RecruitingPhase 3
Radotinib for CML patients after prior TKI failure
This trial tests radotinib (a targeted pill) in people with chronic-phase Philadelphia chromosome–positive CML whose previous TKIs stopped working or could not be tolerated. It aims to improve control of the leukemia while checking safety.
BarnaulAges 18 years+ - NCT03383575RecruitingPhase 2
Azacitidine plus enasidenib for IDH2-mutant MDS
This trial tests whether combining azacitidine with enasidenib helps people with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that has an IDH2 mutation. It’s designed for people who are either new to “hypomethylating” treatment or whose MDS returned/worsened after it.
Baltimore, MarylandAges 12 years+ - NCT03314974RecruitingPhase 2
Stem cell transplant study for blood cancers
This Phase 2 study tests a strong (myeloablative) stem cell transplant using donor stem cells (allogeneic transplant) for certain blood and bone marrow cancers. The goal is to see how well this approach works and whether it can improve outcomes for people who need transplant-level treatment.
Minneapolis, MinnesotaAges Up to 60 years - 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+ - NCT03263572RecruitingPhase 2
Study medicines for Philadelphia-positive ALL or relapsed leukemia
This Phase 2 trial tests a combination of medicines to treat Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph-positive) or BCR-ABL–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including cases that have come back or did not respond. It may help by targeting specific leukemia signals while also aiming to improve disease control.
Houston, TexasAges 18 years+ - NCT03099356RecruitingPhase 2
Cyclophosphamide and sirolimus for thyroid cancer that won’t respond to iodine
This trial tests whether the combination of cyclophosphamide and sirolimus can slow or shrink metastatic thyroid cancer that does not respond to iodine-131. It may help people whose cancer can’t be cured with surgery or other standard options and is still growing.
Ann Arbor, MichiganAges 18 years+ - NCT02974647RecruitingPhase 2
Ruxolitinib for relapsed or hard-to-treat T/NK cell lymphoma
This trial studies ruxolitinib, a medicine that affects immune signaling, in people whose T-cell or NK-cell lymphoma has returned or hasn’t responded to treatment. It may help shrink lymphoma and improve symptoms after other therapies.
Miami, FloridaAges 18 years+ - NCT02813135RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Targeted cancer treatment chosen by a tumor’s genetic findings
This early-phase trial tests a treatment plan that uses results from genetic testing of your tumor to choose the best targeted therapy. It may help people whose cancer has come back or does not respond to standard treatment by matching treatment to specific tumor changes.
CopenhagenAges Up to 18 years - NCT03013998RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Personalized treatment study for acute myeloid leukemia
This study matches people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to treatments based on their specific genetic markers. It aims to find the most effective therapy with fewer side effects compared to standard care.
Phoenix, ArizonaAges 18 years+ - NCT03020979RecruitingPhase 2
Apatinib for fluid buildup in the belly from cancer
This trial tests a pill called apatinib in people whose cancer has spread to the belly and causes fluid to build up (malignant ascites). Apatinib works by cutting off the blood supply that tumors need to grow, which may help reduce the fluid and ease symptoms.
Bengbu, AnhuiAges 18–75 - NCT02190266Recruiting
Study genetics and cause of hard-to-treat Valley fever
This study looks at why “Valley fever” is difficult to treat or has spread beyond the lungs, and how a person’s genetics may be involved. You may be asked for blood or other samples for genetic testing and for storing samples for future research.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 2–100 - NCT02127398RecruitingPhase 2
Fecal transplants for hard-to-treat C. difficile infection
This Phase 2 study tests whether placing stool from a healthy donor into your gut can treat repeated, hard-to-control C. difficile colitis. It may help restore healthy gut bacteria and reduce future flare-ups.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT02074839RecruitingPhase 1
Oral AG-120 for advanced blood cancers with an IDH1 mutation
This Phase 1 study tests an oral medicine called AG-120 in adults with advanced blood cancers that have a specific IDH1 mutation. It also looks at safety and how the treatment works, with frequent blood, urine, and bone marrow samples.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 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 - 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+
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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.