two doses of psilocybin for the treatment of mdd in adults with cancer

Conditions: Cancer; Major Depressive Disorder

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.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. signed informed consent form (icf) 2. 18 years of age or above at screening (v1) 3. currently meet criteria for mdd (single or recurrent episode as defined by the dsm-5; if single episode, duration of ≥ 3 months) based on medical records, clinical assessment, and documented completion of the mini international neuropsychiatric interview, version 7.0.2 (mini 7.0.2) 4. a diagnosis of a malignant neoplasm with a diagnostic code from c00 to c97 according to the icd-10 5. madrs score ≥ 20 at screening (v1) 6. is 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 per judgement of the investigator exclusion criteria: 1. current or past history of schizophrenia, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, paranoid personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or borderline personality disorder, as assessed by medical history and a structured clinical interview (mini version 7.0.2) 2. current (within the past year) alcohol or drug use disorder as defined by the dsm-5 (mini 7.0.2) at screening (v1) 3. significant suicide risk defined by (1) suicidal ideation as endorsed on items 4 or 5 on the c-ssrs within the past year, at screening, or at baseline, or; (2) suicidal behaviors within the past year, or; (3) clinical assessment of significant suicidal risk during participant interview 4. other personal circumstances or behavior judged to be incompatible with establishment of rapport or safe exposure to psilocybin 5. women who are pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy. women and men of child-bearing potential and who are sexually active must agree to use an acceptable contraceptive method throughout their participation in the study. women of child-bearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening (v1) and baseline (v2) 6. cardiovascular conditions: recent stroke (\ 140/90), or clinically significant arrhythmia within 1 year of signing the icf 7. a marked prolongation of qt/qtc interval (e.g., repeated demonstration of a qtc interval \> 450 ms at screening 8. a history of additional risk factors for torsade de pointes (e.g., heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of long qt syndrome) 9. the use of concomitant medications that prolong the qt/qtc interval 10. uncontrolled or insulin-dependent diabetes 11. seizure disorder 12. positive urine drug screen for illicit drugs or drugs of abuse at v1 and v2. any positive urine drug test will be reviewed with participants to determine the pattern of use and eligibility will be determined at the investigator's discretion in conjunction with the medical monitor 13. current enrollment in any investigational drug or device study or participation in such within 30 days of screening (v1) 14. abnormal and clinically significant results on the physical examination, vital signs, ecg, or laboratory tests at screening (v1) that in the investigator's opinion may constitute a risk for an individual who is exposed to psilocybin. this includes a value of \< 50,000 platelets per cubic millimeter of blood, liver function tests three times the upper limit of normal, and creatine two times above the normal range. clinically significant abnormal electrolytes or low hemoglobin (\< 8 g/l) should be corrected and rechecked prior to enrollment 15. any other clinically significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, or any other major concurrent illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the interpretation of the study results or constitute a health risk for the participant if they take part in the study 16. use of psychedelics, including psilocybin but excluding medical marijuana, within the past 6 months and use of psychedelics or cannabis during the current episode of depression 17. concurrent or recent chemotherapy or radiation therapy that impairs general level of physical functioning

Keywords: psilocybin cancer depression