A practical guide for patients and carers

How to find and save cancer trials with Trial Match

Start with what you know. You can explore the records without knowing every medical term on a report.

1. Choose a cancer type

Choose the relevant cancer type on the homepage, or enter it in the search box. You can also search a treatment name or a trial number. Leave optional fields blank when you are unsure; using more filters can hide records you might want to discuss.

2. Add a marker if you know it

The optional tumour-marker list includes genes, receptors and other markers across cancer types. Choose the name from your report, or use “Another marker or exact report wording” for a variant that is not listed. The custom field searches the supplied phrase. If it returns little, try the gene name alone.

Search one marker at a time. A mention does not mean a match: the marker could be part of an exclusion, a test or a particular group within a study. Read the source wording and check the exact result with the care team. You can leave this field on “Any / not sure”.

3. Check where the trial is running

Use the United Kingdom country filter and read the hospital information in each result. An optional postcode search estimates straight-line distance where location information is available. This is not travel time. Site details and local recruitment information can be missing, so confirm availability directly with the trial team.

4. Read the record and load more results

Open a trial to see its explanation, entry criteria, locations and listed contacts. Technical wording is retained from the registry. Each result links to the original record so you can check context and updates.

Searches begin with a batch from each selected registry. Use “Load more trials” when more records are available. The source counts explain what has been checked. No search here covers every possible study.

5. Save a shortlist for an appointment

Select “Save” on a useful record. Your shortlist stays in this browser, and you can share a link, download a shortlist file or print the records with questions for an appointment. Refresh saved details before relying on older records.

Common questions

Does “recruiting” mean I can join?

No. Recruitment status describes the registry record. Personal eligibility, availability at a hospital and the relevant study group still need checking with the teams involved.

What if there are no results?

Try fewer filters, a broader marker name or a different term from your report. Check whether a source failed to load, and retry if needed. You can also explore the linked registries and UK research websites directly. No results does not establish that there are no relevant trials.

Can I start again without losing saved trials?

Yes. “Clear results” resets the search and filters while keeping your shortlist. Clicking the Trial Match logo also returns you to the homepage.

Read about Trial Match and its limitations. Your treating team and the trial team are the people to assess whether a study could be suitable.