A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Volrustomig ± Casdatifan vs Nivolumab + Ipilimumab as 1L Treatment for Advanced ccRCC
This is a Phase Ib/III, randomized, multicenter, global study evaluating the efficacy and safety of volrustomig in combination with casdatifan for the first-line (1L) treatment of participants with ad...
Testing the Addition of the Anti-Cancer Drug Tivozanib to Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) After Surgery to Remove All Known Sites of Kidney Cancer
This phase III trial compares the effect of adding tivozanib to standard therapy pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone for the treatment of patients with high-risk renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Immun...
Study of Casdatifan and Cabozantinib Versus Placebo and Cabozantinib in Patients With Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the progression-free survival (PFS) of casdatifan versus placebo when each is given in combination with cabozantinib in adult patients with confirmed advanced o...
Focused Radiation Versus Systemic Therapy for Kidney Cancer Patients With Limited Metastasis, SOAR Study
This phase III trial compares the effect of stero-ablative radiotherapy (SAbR) followed by standard of care systemic therapy, to standard of care systemic therapy alone, in patients with kidney cancer...
A Study of Pazopanib With or Without Abexinostat in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (RENAVIV)
This is a randomized, Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of pazopanib plus abexinostat versus pazopanib plus placebo in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic renal cel...
Comparing the Outcome of Immunotherapy-Based Drug Combination Therapy With or Without Surgery to Remove the Kidney in Metastatic Kidney Cancer, the PROBE Trial
This phase III trial compares the effect of adding surgery to a standard of care immunotherapy-based drug combination versus a standard of care immunotherapy-based drug combination alone in treating p...
Testing the Addition of Stereotactic Radiation Therapy With Immune Therapy for the Treatment of Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer, SAMURAI Trial
This phase II trial tests whether the addition of radiation to the primary tumor, typically given with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR), in combination with standard of care immunotherap...
Testing Cabozantinib With or Without Atezolizumab in Patients With Advanced Papillary Kidney Cancer, PAPMET2 Trial
This phase II trial compares the effect of atezolizumab in combination with usual treatment with cabozantinib to cabozantinib alone in patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma that has spread from...
Testing the Addition of a New Anti-cancer Drug, Radium-223 Dichloride, to the Usual Treatment (Cabozantinib) for Advanced Renal Cell Cancer That Has Spread to the Bone, RadiCaL Study
This phase II trial studies whether adding radium-223 dichloride to the usual treatment, cabozantinib, improves outcomes in patients with renal cell cancer that has spread to the bone. Radioactive dru...
Advanced Renal Cell Cancer Combination ImmunoThErapy Clinical Trial
This study is a randomized, open label, multicenter Phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of botensilimab (a novel Fc enhanced Tree depleting anti-CTLA4) and balstilimab (a novel anti-PD1...
Substudy 03C: A Study of Combination Therapies in Participants With Renal Cell Carcinoma With Recurrent Disease During or After Anti-PD-(L)1 Therapy (MK-3475-03C/KEYMAKER-U03)
Substudy 03C is part of a larger research study that is testing experimental treatments for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The larger study is the umbrella study (U03). The goal of substudy 03C is to ev...
ENdoluminal LIGHT ActivatED Treatment of Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer (ENLIGHTED) Study
This is a phase 3, open label, single arm study of padeliporfin in the treatment of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC). The ENLIGHTED study will recruit patients with low-grade non-invasive upper...
Testing of Bevacizumab, Erlotinib, and Atezolizumab in Combination for Advanced-Stage Kidney Cancer
This phase II trial studies the effects of combination therapy with bevacizumab, erlotinib, and atezolizumab in treating patients with hereditary leiomyomatosis and kidney cancer that may have spread ...
Genetic Testing to Select Therapy for the Treatment of Advanced or Metastatic Kidney Cancer, OPTIC RCC Study
This phase II trial tests whether using genetic testing of tumor tissue to select the optimal treatment regimen works in treating patients with clear cell renal cell (kidney) cancer that has spread to...
Phase 2 Study of Combination Tivozanib and Nivolumab in Advanced Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
To learn if giving tivozanib in combination with nivolumab can help to control advanced nccRCC....
CYTO Reductive Surgery in Kidney Cancer Plus Immunotherapy and Targeted Kinase Inhibition
The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of immunotherapy nivolumab and the targeted therapy cabozantinib prior to removal of the kidney, will increase the number subjects who are without ...
A Study of Abemaciclib and Cabozantinib in People With Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC)
The researchers are doing this study to find out whether the combination of abemaciclib and cabozantinib is a safe and effective treatment for people with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (c...
Study of Nivolumab in Combination With 177Lu-girentuximab for Kidney Cancer
The purpose of this study is to see if the combination of 177Lu-girentuximab and nivolumab is a safe and effective treatment for advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma/ccRCC that has the CAIX protei...
Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab and Axitinib in Renal Cell Carcinoma With Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether the combination of Pembrolizumab and Axitinib given in the neoadjuvant setting can change the Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus burden. A dec...
A Study of Cemiplimab and Fianlimab in People With Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
The researchers are doing this study to find out whether it is practical (feasible) to give cemiplimab and fianlimab before a nephrectomy and whether it causes any delays with surgery in people with k...
Top Cities for Kidney Cancer Clinical Trials
Kidney Cancer clinical trials are recruiting across 86 cities. Here are the cities with the most active studies:
About Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer, most commonly renal cell carcinoma, develops in the lining of the kidney tubules. It accounts for about 3-5% of all adult cancers. Treatment includes surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation.
Clinical trials are advancing new treatments for kidney cancer. Currently, 20 studies are recruiting a combined 5,345 participants across the United States. Research is being conducted by 16 organizations including AstraZeneca, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, Arcus Biosciences, Inc. and 13 others.
2026 Kidney Cancer Research Landscape
As of March 2026, the kidney cancer clinical trial landscape includes 20 actively recruiting studies across 86 cities in the United States. These studies are collectively seeking 5,345 participants, with an average enrollment target of 267 per study.
Research is being led by 16 different organizations, including AstraZeneca, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, Arcus Biosciences, Inc., ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, Xynomic Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and 11 others. The large number of sponsors reflects significant research interest and investment in kidney cancer treatment advancement.
Geographically, kidney cancer trials are most concentrated in New York, New York (9 trials); Atlanta, Georgia (6 trials); La Jolla, California (5 trials); Boston, Massachusetts (5 trials); Duarte, California (5 trials) and 7 other cities.
Featured Kidney Cancer Studies
Highlighted recruiting studies for kidney cancer, selected by enrollment size and research scope.
A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Volrustomig ± Casdatifan vs Nivolumab + Ipilimumab as 1L Treatment for Advanced ccRCC
This is a Phase Ib/III, randomized, multicenter, global study evaluating the efficacy and safety of volrustomig in combination with casdatifan for the first-line (1L) treatment of participants with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
Testing the Addition of the Anti-Cancer Drug Tivozanib to Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) After Surgery to Remove All Known Sites of Kidney Cancer
This phase III trial compares the effect of adding tivozanib to standard therapy pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone for the treatment of patients with high-risk renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Tivozanib is in a...
Study of Casdatifan and Cabozantinib Versus Placebo and Cabozantinib in Patients With Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the progression-free survival (PFS) of casdatifan versus placebo when each is given in combination with cabozantinib in adult patients with confirmed advanced or metastatic clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma who have experienced progression on or after prior anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Cancer Clinical Trials
Are there kidney cancer clinical trials near me?
Yes, there are 20 kidney cancer clinical trials currently recruiting across 86+ cities in the United States, including New York, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; La Jolla, California. Browse the studies above to find one at a location convenient for you.
How do I join a kidney cancer clinical trial?
To join a kidney cancer clinical trial: 1) Browse the available studies on this page, 2) Click on a study that interests you, 3) Check the study locations to find a site near you, 4) Review the eligibility criteria, and 5) Contact the study site or complete the eligibility form. The process is free and you can withdraw at any time.
Are kidney cancer clinical trials free?
Yes, participation in kidney cancer clinical trials is free. Study-related treatments, medical tests, and doctor visits are provided at no cost to participants. Many studies also offer compensation for your time and travel expenses.
What types of kidney cancer treatments are being studied?
Current kidney cancer clinical trials are testing a range of approaches. These include new drugs, combination therapies, medical devices, and other interventions sponsored by 16 research organizations.
Is it safe to participate in kidney cancer clinical trials?
Clinical trials are carefully regulated by the FDA and institutional review boards (IRBs). All trials must follow strict safety protocols, and participants receive close medical monitoring throughout the study. You can withdraw from a trial at any time without penalty.
Data updated March 2, 2026 from ClinicalTrials.gov
About This Data
Clinical trial information on this page is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Library of Medicine (NLM). Study data is refreshed every hour to ensure accuracy.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about clinical trial participation or changes to your treatment plan.
Page reviewed by the HelloStudys Research Team · Last updated March 2, 2026 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov