Leukemia Clinical Trials
Leukemia Trials at a Glance
1,196 actively recruiting trials for leukemia are listed on ClinicalTrialsFinder across 6 cities in 70 countries. The largest study group is Phase 2 with 498 trials, with the heaviest enrollment activity in Houston, New York, and Boston. Lead sponsors running leukemia studies include M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, and Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, China.
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Top cities for leukemia trials
Understanding Leukemia Clinical Trials
Imatinib (Gleevec), a drug that emerged from clinical trials in the early 2000s, transformed chronic myeloid leukemia from a near-fatal diagnosis into a manageable chronic condition, with survival rates exceeding 90% at five years. More recently, CAR-T cell therapies like tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) — approved through landmark trials — have produced complete remissions in patients with aggressive forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had exhausted all other options. Clinical trials remain the primary engine driving these breakthroughs in leukemia treatment, and many of tomorrow's standard therapies are available today only through trial participation.
Why Consider a Clinical Trial?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Leukemia clinical trials
Yes. Many leukemia trials are specifically designed for patients who have already undergone one or more lines of therapy. Some trials require that you have tried and not responded to certain treatments first. Your treatment history is one of the key factors used to determine which trials you may be eligible for.
Not always. Some trials use a randomized design where participants are assigned to either the new treatment or the current standard of care. However, leukemia trials rarely use placebos alone — you will almost always receive active treatment. The study team will explain the design before you consent.
The active treatment phase varies widely depending on the type of leukemia and the trial design, ranging from a few months to two or more years. After active treatment ends, most trials include a follow-up period where your health is monitored, which can last several additional years. The consent form will outline the expected time commitment.
Yes. Because leukemia is more common in older adults, many trials are specifically designed for patients over 60 or 65 who may not tolerate intensive chemotherapy. These trials often test lower-intensity regimens or targeted therapies with more manageable side effect profiles.
If your disease progresses during a trial, the study team will discuss your options, which may include switching to a different treatment arm within the trial, transitioning to another trial, or returning to standard care. Your safety is monitored continuously, and you can leave a trial at any time for any reason.
Showing 1–20 of 1,196 trials