💊 Treatment Type

Chemotherapy Clinical Trials UK

Find actively recruiting chemotherapy clinical trials in the UK. Explore new combinations, delivery methods, and dosing schedules being tested across all cancer types.

Free to use — Live data from ClinicalTrials.gov — Updated hourly

What Is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. It remains one of the most widely used cancer treatments and is constantly being refined through clinical trials. New research focuses on smarter combinations, reduced side effects, novel delivery methods, and pairing chemotherapy with immunotherapy or targeted therapy.

Types of Chemotherapy in Clinical Trials

Combination Therapy

Trials testing new combinations of chemotherapy drugs with immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or other agents to improve response rates and survival outcomes.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy given before surgery to shrink tumours. Trials explore which drug combinations and timing produce the best surgical outcomes.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Given after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells. Research focuses on identifying which patients benefit most and reducing unnecessary treatment.

Dose-Dense Scheduling

Trials testing whether giving chemotherapy more frequently (with appropriate support) improves outcomes compared to standard schedules.

Nanoparticle Delivery

Emerging research using nanoparticles and liposomes to deliver chemotherapy directly to tumours, reducing systemic side effects and improving efficacy.

Supportive Care Trials

Studies focused on managing chemotherapy side effects — anti-nausea drugs, growth factors, and interventions to maintain quality of life during treatment.

Conditions Using Chemotherapy in Trials

Chemotherapy is a key treatment in trials for many cancer types. Select a condition to explore relevant trials:

FAQs About Chemotherapy Trials

What is the difference between chemotherapy and targeted therapy?
Chemotherapy kills rapidly dividing cells throughout the body, affecting both cancer and healthy cells. Targeted therapy uses drugs designed to attack specific molecular features of cancer cells, such as proteins or gene mutations, causing less damage to healthy tissue. Many clinical trials now combine both approaches.
Are chemotherapy clinical trials only for advanced cancer?
No. Chemotherapy trials exist for all stages of cancer, including adjuvant (post-surgery), neoadjuvant (before surgery), and metastatic settings. Some trials test chemotherapy in earlier-stage disease to prevent recurrence, while others explore new combinations for advanced cancer.
What are common side effects of chemotherapy?
Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, increased infection risk, and low blood counts. However, modern supportive care has significantly reduced these effects. Clinical trials often test ways to reduce side effects while maintaining effectiveness.
Can I get chemotherapy through a clinical trial on the NHS?
Yes. Most chemotherapy clinical trials in the UK are conducted through NHS hospitals and are free to participants. You will receive the investigational treatment and close monitoring from a specialist research team.

Related Treatment Types

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