Where testicular cancer treatment is heading

Testicular cancer · Updated Nov 12, 2026

Most men with testicular cancer are cured, even when it has spread. Research now focuses on giving less treatment to avoid long-term side effects, and on a new blood test that could show who needs more.

40studies open or running
2of them in phase 3
425papers published this year
38NIH-funded projects

Now

Nov 2026
Less treatment means fewer late effectsHappened 1.65 times expected after chemo
Men treated with surgery alone had no extra second cancers; chemotherapy and radiation raised the risk.

1.65: times the expected rate of a second cancer after chemotherapy.
- Second cancers review
A blood test shows promiseHappened 97% specificity of the blood test
miR-371 rarely flags cancer that is not there, and predicted relapse in men under surveillance in an Australian study.

97%: of negative test results correctly ruled out active cancer (specificity).
- miR-371 blood test review
- CLIMATE study, ASCO Post
Fertility usually preservedHappened 14% had fertility problems overall
After standard treatment for good-prognosis cancer, only about 4% of men had fertility problems.

14%: had fertility problems after treatment, overall.
- Fertility review
6 months

by May 2027
Gentler radiation-chemo for seminomaPossible
A Swiss trial of 135 men tests a reduced combination for stage IIA/B seminoma. It is fully enrolled and due December 2026.
- SAKK trial
12 months

by Nov 2027
Carboplatin vs BEP for stage I seminomaPossible
A Nordic trial of 348 men compares one dose of carboplatin with the older three-drug combination to prevent relapse.
- SWENOTECA-ABC
Large children's and young adults' trial reportsPossible
A 1,780-person trial tests surveillance for low-risk tumors and carboplatin in place of cisplatin to reduce hearing and kidney damage.
- Children's Oncology Group trial
3 years

by late 2029
Blood test enters carePossible 97% specificity of the blood test
miR-371 becomes part of follow-up at more centers, and trials begin using it to decide treatment.

97%: of negative test results correctly ruled out active cancer (specificity).
- miR-371 blood test review
- CLIMATE study, ASCO Post
Surgery in place of chemo for somePossible
A Canadian trial of lymph node surgery as first treatment for early-spread disease finishes in 2028.
- Western University trial
- RPLND for seminoma review
5 years

by late 2031
New drugs for the rare cancers that resist chemoLong shot
Immune-cell engagers and antibody-drug conjugates are in small trials for germ cell tumors that return after platinum chemotherapy.
- Tarlatamab trial
- Enfortumab vedotin trial

Happened Likely Possible Long shot

The research paths

Maturing

Giving less treatment

1.65 times expected after chemo

Details and 4 trialsHide

With cure rates so high, the aim is to keep cure while cutting chemotherapy and radiation, which raise later risks of second cancers and heart disease.

WatchThe Swiss and Nordic seminoma trials.

Heating up

A blood test to guide care

97% specificity of the blood test

DetailsHide

miR-371 is more accurate than the older blood markers. It could show who is cured after surgery and who has hidden cancer.

WatchTrials that use the result to decide treatment.

Early

Cancers that resist chemotherapy

Details and 2 trialsHide

A small group of men relapse after platinum chemotherapy. Olaparib did not help in a small trial; newer drugs are being tried.

WatchAny response in the immune-engager and antibody-drug trials.

Borrowed from other cancers

From Small cell lung cancer

Tarlatamab

Phase 2

An immune-cell engager aimed at DLL3, tested with radiation in rare tumors that carry DLL3.

Tarlatamab trial

From Bladder cancer

Enfortumab vedotin

Phase 2

An antibody-drug conjugate tested in rare urinary and genital cancers, including germ cell tumors.

Enfortumab vedotin trial

Open to join now

Children and young adults

Surveillance and carboplatin (AGCT1531)

Phase 3 · 629 sites
Locations and eligibility →
Early-spread disease, Canada

Lymph node surgery first

Phase 2 · 1 site
Locations and eligibility →
Rare urinary or genital tumors

Enfortumab vedotin with or without pembrolizumab

Phase 2 · 1 site
Locations and eligibility →
DLL3-positive tumors

Tarlatamab with radiation

Phase 2 · 3 sites
Locations and eligibility →

See every recruiting testicular cancer trial →

When the trials finish

Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.

2026202720282029203020312032Today

Reduced radio-chemotherapy for seminomaGiving less treatment

Dec 2026

Carboplatin vs BEP, stage I seminomaGiving less treatment

May 2027

Surveillance and carboplatin for young peopleGiving less treatment

Jun 2027

Enfortumab vedotin, rare urinary tumorsCancers that resist chemotherapy

Oct 2027

Lymph node surgery firstGiving less treatment

Jun 2028

Tarlatamab with radiationCancers that resist chemotherapy

May 2030

Heating up
Maturing
Early
Cooling
Fully enrolled, waiting on results
Still enrolling

Knowledge on the way

Not treatments yet: detection, causes and how care is delivered. Mostly NIH-funded.

AreaQuestionFunded throughNews likely
Risk Genes that predict hearing, kidney and nerve damage from cisplatinIndiana University · NIH Funded through Jun 2027 News likely 2027
Care Gaps in care for adolescents and young adults with cancerKaiser Permanente · NIH Funded through Jun 2027 News likely 2027
Biology An immune-cell engager aimed at a highly specific tumor markerUC San Francisco · NIH Funded through May 2029 News likely 2028–2029

What just happened

Dec 2025Second cancers more common after chemo or radiation

Surgery alone did not raise the risk.

Study summary

May 2026miR-371 predicted relapse in stage I cancer

Interim results from the Australian CLIMATE study.

The ASCO Post

Mar 2025miR-371 accurately flagged hidden active cancer

603 men in 9 studies.

Study summary

Standard treatment today

Stage IRemoval of the testicle, then surveillance for most. One dose of carboplatin or a short course of chemotherapy is an option for higher-risk tumors.
Spread to nearby lymph nodesChemotherapy (BEP or EP) or, for seminoma, radiation. Lymph node surgery for selected men.
WidespreadCisplatin-based chemotherapy, which cures most. High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support if it returns.
SurvivorshipChecks for heart, hearing, hormone and fertility effects; sperm banking before treatment.

How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources

Testicular cancer is rare and highly curable, so trials are small and slow.
The miR-371 results come from studies that did not change treatment based on the test.
Completion dates are what each trial registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.

See testicular cancer trials recruiting now →

Last reviewed 2026-11-12 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.