Detroit, MI Clinical Trials Report — May 2026

For Detroit residents considering participation in clinical research, May 2026 brings both urgent opportunities and significant new studies, particularly in cancer research. With 49 trials slated to conclude within the next 90 days, prompt action is essential for those interested in contributing to medical advancements before enrollment windows close.

Currently, Detroit, MI, hosts a total of 769 clinical trials actively recruiting participants across 211 research facilities. This month, 3 new trials opened, a notable decrease from the 7 new trials launched in April 2026, and a significant drop from the 15 new trials seen in December 2025.

Act Now: Trials Nearing Their Close

A substantial number of clinical trials in Detroit are rapidly approaching their enrollment deadlines, offering a limited-time chance to participate. Of the 49 trials closing within the next 90 days, 5 are still accepting healthy volunteers, providing a unique opportunity for individuals without specific medical conditions to contribute to research.

Patients managing specific health conditions also have urgent deadlines to join studies. Conditions with trials closing soon include:

• Breast cancer (3 trials)
• Primary peritoneal cancer (3 trials)
• Prostate cancer (3 trials)
• Advanced solid tumor (2 trials)
• Solid tumor, adult (2 trials)
• Triple negative breast cancer (2 trials)
• Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (2 trials)
• Endometrial cancer (2 trials)
• Heart failure (2 trials)
• Ovarian cancer (2 trials)

New Research Opportunities in Detroit

Despite a slower pace of new trial openings this month, Detroit continues to be a hub for important medical research. Among the 3 new trials, a significant Phase 3 study from a major sponsor stands out:

• AstraZeneca is sponsoring NCT07611110, "AZD2265 Compared With Standard of Care in PSMA-positive Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (VECTRA-01)." This Phase 3 drug trial aims to enroll 670 participants globally, with a local site in Detroit. The study intends to demonstrate the superiority of AZD2265 compared to standard of care treatments by assessing radiographic progression-free survival and overall survival in individuals with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

The new trials opening this month are exploring a range of conditions and treatment types. Conditions being investigated include laparoscopic surgery, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, pneumoperitoneum, and acute post-operative pain. These new studies include 1 biological trial, 1 drug trial, and 1 procedure trial. Sponsors for these new initiatives include AstraZeneca, Henry Ford Health System, and Xencor, Inc. Of these, 2 are industry-sponsored, and 1 is from another type of sponsor.

Healthy Volunteers: Your Chance to Contribute

For individuals without a specific medical condition, opportunities to contribute to medical science remain available. Of the 3 new trials launched this month, 1 is actively seeking healthy volunteers. Across Detroit, a total of 40 clinical trials are currently recruiting healthy participants, offering various avenues for those interested in supporting medical research.

Detroit's Leading Research Facilities

Detroit is home to several prominent research institutions that consistently lead in the volume of clinical trials. These facilities are key destinations for individuals seeking to participate in medical research:

• Henry Ford Hospital (140 trials)
• Karmanos Cancer Institute (89 trials)
• Henry Ford Health System (83 trials)
• Henry Ford Health (49 trials)
• Wayne State University/Karmanos Cancer Institute (45 trials)
• Henry Ford Health Saint John Hospital (44 trials)
• Research Site (40 trials)
• Children's Hospital of Michigan (40 trials)
• Wayne State University (24 trials)
• Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (24 trials)
• Henry Ford Cancer Institute (13 trials)
• John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI (9 trials)

These institutions, particularly those within the Henry Ford and Karmanos networks, offer a broad spectrum of research, with a strong focus on cancer and general health conditions.

Expanding Your Search: Nearby Michigan Options

While Detroit offers numerous clinical trial opportunities, individuals may also find options in other Michigan cities. Nearby communities with active trials include Ann Arbor (9 trials), Grand Rapids (5 trials), Southfield (3 trials), Troy (2 trials), Farmington Hills (2 trials), Bloomfield Hills (1 trial), Lansing (1 trial), and Warren (1 trial).

Who Can Participate? Eligibility at a Glance

Participation in clinical trials is open to a diverse range of individuals. Of the 3 new trials launched this month, 3 include older adults, ensuring that senior populations have opportunities to contribute. Additionally, 2 new trials are female-only, and 1 is male-only. There are no new trials this month specifically including children.

As we continue through spring, Detroit's research community remains dedicated to advancing medical knowledge, offering diverse opportunities for individuals to contribute to the future of healthcare and explore new treatment options.