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The Safety and Efficacy of Psilocybin in Cancer Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

The Safety and Efficacy of Psilocybin in Cancer Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04593563
Enrollment
30
Registered
2020-10-20
Start date
2020-09-01
Completion date
2023-10-31
Last updated
2021-10-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder

Keywords

Cancer, Major Depressive Disorder, psychedelics, Psilocybin

Brief summary

This is a Phase II, single-center, fixed dose, open label trial to explore the safety, tolerability and efficacy of a 25mg dose of psilocybin in cancer patients with MDD. The study population will include adult men and women, 18 years of age or above, with MDD, diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm. MDD is defined as those who meet DSM 5 diagnostic criteria for a single or recurrent episode of MDD without psychotic features. A diagnosis of a malignant neoplasm is defined as having a diagnostic code from C00 to C97 according to the ICD-10.

Detailed description

Recent randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of psilocybin therapy for anxiety and depression associated with cancer diagnosis showed significant improvement in study endpoints reflecting psychological distress, as compared to placebo. The effects of a single psilocybin therapy session endured for up to six months with no specific follow-up care. In this study, we aim to explore the safety and efficacy of psilocybin therapy in cancer patients, diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Interventions

DRUGPsilocybin

Single 5 capsule oral psilocybin dose: 25mg: 5 x 5 mg capsules.

Sponsors

Maryland Oncology Hematology, PA
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Signed ICF 2. 18 years of age or above at Screening (V1) 3. Currently meet criteria for MDD (single or recurrent episode as defined by DSM 5; if single episode, duration of more or equal to 3 months) based on medical records, clinical assessment and documented completion of the MINI version 7.0.2 4. A diagnosis of a malignant neoplasm with a diagnostic code from C00 to C97 according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10) 5. HAM D 17 score ≥18 at Screening (V1) and at Baseline (V2) 6. Are not currently taking any antidepressant and/or antipsychotic medications, or medical cannabis, at Screening (V1) 7. Able to complete all protocol required assessment tools without any assistance or alteration to the copyrighted assessments, and to comply with all study visits 8. Has capacity to consent (assessed via investigator judgement)

Exclusion criteria

Psychiatric

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)8 weeksTen-item diagnostic questionnaire which psychiatrists use to measure the severity of depressive episodes in patients with mood disorders. Minimum Score: 0 Maximum Score: 60 Higher Score is indicative of greater depression
Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self reported (QIDS-SR)8 weeks16-Item quick inventory of depressive symptomatology. Minimum score: 0 Maximum Score: 16 Higher Score is indicative of worsening depression.
Maudsley Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) current8 weeksMinimum score: -50 Maximum Score: 50 Higher score is indicative of a better outcome.
Maudley Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Change.8 weeksChange in Maudsley VAS change scores from Baseline Minimum score: -50 Maximum Score: 50 Higher score is indicative of a better outcome.
Pain Visual Analogue Score (VAS)8 weeksChange in use of pain medications from Baseline (Day -1 \[V2\]) to Week 8 (V7) Minimum score: 0 Maximum Score: 10 Higher score is not indicative of a better outcome.
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale-A (HAM-A)8 weeksThe Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) is a widely used and well-validated tool for measuring the severity of a patient's anxiety. It should be administered by an experi- enced clinician. The HAM-A probes 14 parameters and takes 15-20 minutes to complete the interview and score the results. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, ranging from 0=not present to 4=severe. Minimum Score: 0 Maximum Score: 56 Higher Score is indicative of worsening Depression
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)8 weeksPsychological inventory based on a 4-point Likert scale and consists of 40 questions on a self-report basis Minimum: 20 Maximum: 80 Higher Score is indicative of worsening outcome.
National Institute of Health Healing Experience of All Life Stressors (NIH-HEALS)8 weeksPsycho-social-spiritual healing in NIH-HEALS total score change from Baseline (Day -1 \[V2\]) to Weeks 1 (V5), 3 (V6), and 8 (V7). Additionally changes in the three factor scores on this measure will be assessed for change at the same timepoints: Connection; Reflection and Introspection; Trust and Acceptance.Healing Experience of All Life Stressors (NIH-HEALS) was developed by the NIH Clinical Center Pain and Palliative Care Service as a psycho-social-spiritual measure of healing that assesses positive transformation in response to challenging life events. It is a self-report, 35-item questionnaire.
Patient EQ-5D-5L8 weeksEQ-5D is an instrument which evaluates the generic quality of life developed in Europe and widely used. The EQ-5D descriptive system is a preference-based HRQL measure with one question for each of the five dimensions that include mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Participant EQ 5D 5L score change from Baseline (Day -1 \[V2\]) to subsequent follow up visits. Minimum: 0 Maximum: 20 Higher Score is indicative of worsening outcome.
Caregiver Oncology Quality of Life Questionnaire (CarGOQol)8 weeksCarGOQol score change from Baseline (Day -1 \[V2\]) to subsequent follow up visits (this assessment is not mandatory) Minimum: 0 Maximum: 116 Higher Score is indicative of worsening outcome.
DS-II8 weeksChange in DS-II factor scores from Baseline. Minimum: 0 Maximum: 32 Higher Score is indicative of worsening outcome.
5 Dimension Altered State of Consciousness (5D-ASC)8 weeksSummary of the 5D-ASC on the day of psilocybin dosing. o Links between psychedelic intensity and experience (via the 5D-ASC) and depression and anxiety outcomes will also be explored and patient experience and acceptability of the treatment summarised at V3 and V4. This has 11 subscales, and higher scores are indicative of good outcomes.
Sheehan Disability Score (SDS)8 weeksSDS score change from Baseline Minimum: 0 Maximum: 30 Higher Score is indicative of worsening outcome.
Scale To Assess Therapeutic Relationship: Patient (STAR-P)8 weeksTherapeutic alliance of the clinician and patient, as rated using the STAR-C and STAR-P respectively will be assessed at Baseline, along with assessing correlations with this measure and primary and secondary outcomes as a possible predictor of response Minimum: 0 Maximum: 48 Higher Score is indicative of good outcome.
Scale To Assess Therapeutic Relationship: Clinician. (STAR-C)8 weeksTherapeutic alliance of the clinician and patient, as rated using the STAR-C and STAR-P respectively will be assessed at Baseline, along with assessing correlations with this measure and primary and secondary outcomes as a possible predictor of response Minimum: 0 Maximum: 48 Higher Score is indicative of good outcome.
Changes in electrocardiographs.8 weeksAbnormal and clinically significant results on the ECG, that in the investigator's opinion may constitute a risk for an individual who is exposed to psilocybin.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 5, 2026