Two Doses of Psilocybin for the Treatment of MDD in Adults With Cancer

NCT05947383 · Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Phase: PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 56

Last updated 2026-05-06

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This is a Phase 2, single-center study to explore the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of up to two 25-mg doses of psilocybin administered at an interval of 9 to 10 weeks in patients with MDD and cancer. This two-part study will administer a fixed dose (25 mg) of psilocybin in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled portion (Dosing Session 1) and subsequently allow rollover into an open-label portion (Dosing Session 2; fixed dose of psilocybin, 25 mg) for patients who do not achieve remission of MDD symptoms after the first dose.

In Dosing Session 1, groups of two to four patients will be randomized, as a cohort, to receive either psilocybin 25 mg or niacin 100 mg (active placebo) in a group session, with each patient supported by their dedicated study therapist and monitored by a second therapist via video feed.

In Dosing Session 2, all eligible participants (i.e., patients who have not achieved remission defined as MADRS \< 10 at V7) will receive psilocybin 25 mg in an open-label fashion using the group session model. The study population will include adult men and women who are 18 years of age or older and have diagnoses of both MDD and a malignant neoplasm. MDD is defined as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (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 International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10). Participants will be recruited through referrals from specialized psychiatric and oncology services as well as through patient self-referrals.

The majority of participants will have no prior exposure to psilocybin or so-called "magic mushrooms"; however, participants with prior recreational experience with psilocybin or "magic mushrooms" are eligible.

Conditions

Interventions

DRUG

Psilocybin

Psilocybin 25 mg oral capsule

DRUG

Placebo

Niacin 100 mg oral capsule

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Sunstone Medical

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-10-23
Primary Completion
2027-04-30
Completion
2027-11-01
FDA Drug
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05947383 on ClinicalTrials.gov