For the roughly 3,000 Americans diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, clinical trials represent something standard treatments cannot offer: access to cutting-edge therapies that might extend life beyond the 12-month median survival.
We analyzed every actively recruiting mesothelioma trial registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The data reveals a treatment landscape in rapid transformation, with immunotherapy now dominating research pipelines and CAR-T cell therapy emerging as the next frontier.
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Search our Clinical Trials Database to find recruiting trials by location, treatment type, and eligibility criteria. Updated daily from ClinicalTrials.gov.
The Numbers: January 2026
| Metric | Count |
|---|---|
| Total recruiting trials | 93 |
| Trials in the United States | 52 |
| Immunotherapy trials | 32 |
| CAR-T cell therapy trials | 5 |
| Phase 3 trials | 2 |
What’s Being Tested?
The breakdown of active trials by treatment category reveals where researchers are focusing their efforts.
Immunotherapy Leads the Field
| Treatment Category | Active Trials | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Immunotherapy | 32 | 34% |
| Chemotherapy combinations | 15 | 16% |
| Surgical approaches | 8 | 9% |
| Targeted therapy | 6 | 6% |
| CAR-T cell therapy | 5 | 5% |
| Other/Novel | 27 | 29% |
Immunotherapy now accounts for more than a third of all mesothelioma research. This reflects the success of the CheckMate 743 trial, which led to FDA approval of nivolumab plus ipilimumab in 2020 and changed first-line treatment.
Current immunotherapy trials are testing:
- Combination approaches: Adding checkpoint inhibitors to chemotherapy
- Novel targets: PD-L1, CTLA-4, and newer immune checkpoints
- Sequencing strategies: Optimal timing of immunotherapy in treatment
CAR-T: The Next Frontier
Five trials are now testing CAR-T cell therapy for mesothelioma. This approach, which has transformed blood cancer treatment, engineers a patient’s own immune cells to attack cancer.
| Trial | Target | Phase | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT05703854 | CAR.70 + NK cells | Phase 1/2 | MD Anderson |
| NCT06051695 | Mesothelin CAR-T | Phase 1 | Multiple sites |
| NCT06256055 | CAR-T | Phase 1 | Academic |
| NCT06885697 | Novel CAR | Phase 1/2 | Industry |
| NCT06726564 | Pleural delivery | Phase 1 | Academic |
CAR-T trials typically have strict eligibility criteria and are concentrated at major cancer centers. Most require patients to have failed prior treatments.
Trial Phases Explained
| Phase | Active Trials | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 23 | Testing safety, finding right dose |
| Phase 1/2 | 15 | Safety + early effectiveness signals |
| Phase 2 | 19 | Testing effectiveness in larger group |
| Phase 3 | 2 | Comparing to standard treatment |
| Other | 34 | Observational, expanded access, etc. |
Only two Phase 3 trials are currently recruiting. This stage compares experimental treatments to standard care and typically leads to FDA approval. The small number reflects how few treatments have shown enough Phase 2 promise to advance.
Where Trials Are Available
Top States for Trial Access
| State | Trial Sites |
|---|---|
| Texas | 42 |
| Nevada | 42 |
| Illinois | 36 |
| California | 33 |
| New York | 32 |
| Washington | 31 |
| Florida | 24 |
| Minnesota | 23 |
| New Jersey | 20 |
| Massachusetts | 17 |
Texas and Nevada tie for the most trial sites, largely due to major cancer centers and academic medical centers. Patients in these states have the most options for trial participation.
Geographic Disparities
The data reveals significant gaps in trial access:
- Midwest gap: States like Kansas, Iowa, and Indiana have fewer than 3 trial sites each
- Rural challenge: Most trials are concentrated in urban academic centers
- Travel burden: Many patients must travel 100+ miles to reach trial sites
Some trials now offer decentralized elements: remote monitoring, local lab work, and telehealth visits. Ask trial coordinators about reducing travel requirements.
Global Landscape
| Country | Trials |
|---|---|
| United States | 52 |
| China | 14 |
| United Kingdom | 9 |
| Italy | 9 |
| France | 8 |
| Belgium | 4 |
| Netherlands | 4 |
| Spain | 4 |
The U.S. leads globally in mesothelioma research, but China has emerged as a significant player with 14 active trials. European countries collectively host about 40 trials, with the UK and Italy leading.
Featured Trials to Watch
These trials represent particularly promising approaches based on mechanism, early results, or sponsor commitment:
1. Ivonescimab for Relapsed Disease
NCT06840834 | Phase 2 | France Testing a bispecific antibody (targets both PD-1 and VEGF) in patients whose cancer returned after immunotherapy. Addresses a critical unmet need.
2. Pembrolizumab + Lenvatinib + Chemo
NCT06318286 | Phase 2 | Japan Combining three treatment modalities for untreated pleural mesothelioma. Early data from similar combinations have shown promise.
3. CAR.70-NK Cell Therapy
NCT05703854 | Phase 1/2 | MD Anderson Using cord blood-derived NK cells engineered to target cancer. Novel approach that may avoid some CAR-T toxicity issues.
4. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surgery Study
NCT06057935 | Phase 2 | Memorial Sloan Kettering Evaluating additional chemotherapy after surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma. Important for the 20% of patients with this subtype.
How to Find and Enroll in Trials
- Search our database: Use our Clinical Trials page to filter by location and treatment type
- Discuss with your oncologist: They can help determine eligibility and refer you
- Contact trial coordinators: Each trial listing includes contact information
- Consider travel: Some trials offer travel assistance for participants
Key Questions to Ask
- What are the eligibility criteria?
- How often would I need to visit the trial site?
- Is there a placebo arm, or does everyone receive treatment?
- What happens if the treatment works? Can I continue?
- What are the known side effects from earlier phases?
The Pipeline: What’s Coming
Based on trial phases and sponsor announcements, these approaches may reach patients in the next 2-3 years:
- Bispecific antibodies: Targeting two immune checkpoints simultaneously
- CAR-T refinements: Improved safety and manufacturing
- Personalized vaccines: Using a patient’s own tumor to create treatment
- Epigenetic therapies: Targeting the TEAD pathway and BAP1 mutations
Related Reading
- Clinical Trials Database - Search all active trials
- Understanding Mesothelioma Treatment
- What is Immunotherapy?
How many mesothelioma clinical trials are currently recruiting?▼
As of January 2026, 93 mesothelioma clinical trials are actively recruiting patients worldwide. Of these, 52 are available in the United States. The majority (32) are testing immunotherapy approaches.
What is the most common type of treatment being tested?▼
Immunotherapy leads current research with 32 active trials (34% of all trials). This includes checkpoint inhibitors, combination immunotherapy, and novel immune targets. Chemotherapy combinations and surgical approaches are also being actively studied.
Where can I find mesothelioma clinical trials near me?▼
Texas, Nevada, Illinois, California, and New York have the most trial sites. Use our Clinical Trials Database at mesowatch.org/clinical-trials/ to search by location, or search ClinicalTrials.gov directly. Your oncologist can also help identify appropriate trials.
What is CAR-T therapy and is it available for mesothelioma?▼
CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy engineers a patient’s own immune cells to attack cancer. Five CAR-T trials are currently recruiting mesothelioma patients, primarily at major cancer centers like MD Anderson. Most require patients to have failed prior treatments.