Cancer Clinical Trials: What's Recruiting Now
Published March 25, 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov data
Cancer is the single largest area of clinical trial activity, with thousands of trials recruiting participants at any given time. From immunotherapy to targeted therapy to CAR-T cell treatments, the current landscape of cancer trials offers more options than ever before.
Important: This is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.
Recruiting Cancer Trials by Type
| Cancer Type | Recruiting Trials |
|---|---|
| Colorectal Cancer | 132 |
| Breast Cancer | 126 |
| Lung Cancer | 126 |
| Ovarian Cancer | 115 |
| Cervical Cancer | 114 |
| Pancreatic Cancer | 113 |
| Lymphoma | 112 |
| Bladder Cancer | 110 |
| Prostate Cancer | 109 |
| Esophageal Cancer | 109 |
| Liver Cancer | 108 |
| Melanoma | 107 |
| Acute Myeloid Leukemia | 107 |
| Kidney Cancer | 103 |
| Thyroid Cancer | 100 |
Key Treatment Approaches in Current Trials
- Immunotherapy: Checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4), bispecific antibodies, and cancer vaccines. The fastest-growing category of cancer trials.
- CAR-T cell therapy: Genetically modified immune cells that target cancer. Approved for some blood cancers, now being tested in solid tumors.
- Targeted therapy: Drugs designed to target specific genetic mutations driving cancer growth (KRAS, EGFR, HER2, BRCA).
- Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs): Antibodies that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, reducing side effects. One of the most active areas of cancer drug development.
Top Cancer Trial Sponsors
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris — 91 trials
- Mayo Clinic — 49 trials
- National Cancer Institute (NCI) — 44 trials
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center — 44 trials
- Hospices Civils de Lyon — 44 trials
- National Taiwan University Hospital — 44 trials
- University of Pennsylvania — 44 trials
- University of California, San Francisco — 41 trials
For a guide to finding the right trial, see how to find a clinical trial. To understand what each phase means, see clinical trial phases explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cancer clinical trials are recruiting?
There are approximately 1691 cancer clinical trials currently recruiting participants in the United States, spanning dozens of cancer types and all trial phases.
Can I join a clinical trial for cancer?
Many cancer trials are actively looking for participants. Eligibility depends on your specific cancer type, stage, prior treatments, and overall health. Start by searching for your cancer type on TrialFinder or ask your oncologist about trials they recommend. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.
Who sponsors cancer clinical trials?
Cancer trials are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, Merck, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), academic medical centers, and cooperative groups like ECOG-ACRIN and SWOG.
What types of cancer have the most clinical trials?
Breast cancer, lung cancer, and blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma) typically have the most active trials. However, even rare cancers often have clinical trials — they may just be at fewer locations.
About This Data
Trial data from ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Updated regularly. This is not medical advice — talk to your doctor about clinical trials. See our methodology.