Registry status comparison
Terminated vs withdrawn vs suspended clinical trials
The three stopped-study statuses describe different registry states. This comparison shows their volume and stop-reason mix without treating every status as failed biology.
Terminated, withdrawn, and suspended records.
Efficacy/futility and safety classifications.
Distinct rows in the comparison below.
ClinicalTrials.gov API v2
Current dataset
How stopped-study statuses differ in the current dataset
The table compares each registry status with the same reason classifier, making it easier to see where efficacy, safety, and operational signals appear.
| Registry status | Total stopped | Likely biological | Efficacy / futility | Safety | Operational |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TerminatedStopped after study start | 16,200 | 1,68510% of stopped | 1,049 | 636 | 8,685 |
| WithdrawnStopped before enrollment began | 6,821 | 981% of stopped | 34 | 64 | 3,168 |
| SuspendedTemporarily halted at registry update | 596 | 386% of stopped | 17 | 21 | 266 |
- Biological
- 1,685 (10%)
- Efficacy
- 1,049
- Safety
- 636
- Operational
- 8,685
- Biological
- 98 (1%)
- Efficacy
- 34
- Safety
- 64
- Operational
- 3,168
- Biological
- 38 (6%)
- Efficacy
- 17
- Safety
- 21
- Operational
- 266
How to use the data
What this comparison does and does not show
Terminated is the broadest evidence pool
A terminated record indicates that a study began but ended early. This status often offers more context than a withdrawn record, yet the reason can still be scientific, operational, strategic, or unclear.
Withdrawn usually precedes enrollment
Withdrawn studies generally stop before participants are enrolled. That makes many withdrawn records poor evidence of drug efficacy or safety, because the intervention may never have been tested in the planned study population.
Suspended is not necessarily final
A suspended study is temporarily halted and may later resume, terminate, or change status. Analyses should use the record's update date and source history rather than assuming the suspension became permanent.
Method and limitations
Read the classification as a screening signal
Status values are taken from the current ClinicalTrials.gov-derived record. The site snapshot reflects the status available at the most recent ingest and may change in a later registry update.
Reason classifications are read alongside status. A safety-classified termination is different evidence from a withdrawn study with an operational explanation, even though both appear in the stopped-trial dataset.
For longitudinal work, preserve the dataset version and verify the current NCT record because registry statuses and explanations can be revised.
How classification works →Source-linked examples
Records behind the comparison
Examples are selected from the current ingest and link to the corresponding NCT evidence page.
PDE4 Inhibition in Seborrheic Dermatitis and Papulopustular Rosacea
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
The study ended early after interim analysis.
Open source-linked record →Finding an Effective Dose of GM1 to Reduce or Prevent Neuropathy (Numbness or Weakness) Due to Treatment With Paclitaxel (Phase II)
Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
Interim analysis
Open source-linked record →Safety of Autologous Human Umbilical Cord Blood Treatment for Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke
James Baumgartner, MD
The FDA required a clinical hold for the IND which remained until it was determined that the study would be closed.
Open source-linked record →FAQ
Questions about this comparison
What is the difference between terminated and withdrawn?
A terminated study started and then stopped. A withdrawn study stopped before enrollment began, according to the registry definitions used by ClinicalTrials.gov.
Does suspended mean the clinical trial failed?
No. Suspended means the study was temporarily halted at the registry update. It may later resume or move to another status.
Why classify a stop reason in addition to status?
Status describes what happened to the study. The reason bucket helps explain whether the available language points to efficacy, safety, operations, regulation, or an unclear cause.