Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that seek to find safe and effective ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. By participating, patients take an active role in their own care and add to our knowledge so that we can create a healthier world.

As an academic medical system, UCI Health is uniquely positioned to advance healthcare through leading-edge research and clinical trials for all diseases and conditions. Our Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center — one of only 53 National Cancer Institute-designed comprehensive cancer centers in the nation and the only one based in Orange County — plays an active role in discovering new treatments for cancer. It has more than 300 active clinical trials, many of them early-phase studies designed to test new therapies.

UCI Health also offers the full spectrum of noncancer clinical trials for everything from heart disease, neurological disorders, visual impairment, skin conditions and more. It also offers leading-edge stem-cell trials through the UCI Alpha Clinic, which is part of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) network and is the clinical arm of the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.

Find a clinical trial ›

Center for Clinical Research

The UCI Center for Clinical Research oversees clinical trials for UCI Health and the UCI School of Medicine. Please visit the center's website to learn about clinical trials.

Clinical trial facts

  • Patients are closely monitored and their safety is paramount, and your physician will always review your treatment.
  • Many patients benefit from new treatments not available to the general public.
  • Every trial has criteria that describes eligibility, and the criteria differ from trial to trial.
  • Every trial has a plan, or protocol, that describes the study, what to expect, risks and benefits.
  • Clinical trials are open to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity or gender, so long as the participant meets the eligibility requirements.