A Phase 2b, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multi-center Study of the Effects of Psilocybin-assisted Psychotherapy on Psychiatric and Existential Distress in Advanced Cancer
NYU Langone Health
Summary
The purpose of this research is to study the safety and effects of single-dose psilocybin 25mg versus an active placebo (single dose niacin 100mg) in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and existential distress (i.e., loss of meaning and hope; fear of death) in advanced cancer (i.e., stage 3 or 4). Study medications will be administered in conjunction with brief psychotherapy that is designed to treat anxiety, depression and existential distress in advanced cancer.
Description
This trial is designed to evaluate efficacy and psychological mechanisms of single-dose psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) to treat psychiatric (anxiety, depression) and existential distress (demoralization, death anxiety), and quality-of-life (QOL), in 200 outpatients with late-stage or advanced cancer. The study will assess the strength and durability of therapeutic effects in a double-blind, parallel-design, placebo-controlled, two-center RCT comparing a single 25mg oral 'high' dose of psilocybin to a single 100mg dose of niacin (active placebo), both delivered in conjunction with a ps…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged ≥ 21 * Diagnosis of Advanced Cancer defined as: * Solid tumors to include stage 3 or 4, metastatic illness, or recurrent illness * Hematologic malignancies to include, but not limited to, Stage 3 or 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma, late-stage multiple myeloma or second-line therapy for multiple myeloma, and all forms of acute myeloid leukemia * Functional Status defined as: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) ≤2 and Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) ≥60% * Clinically significant Anxiety defined as SIGH-A \>17 at Screening * Have an identified support person: agr…
Interventions
- DrugPsilocybin 25 mgs
One capsule containing 25mg of psilocybin will be administered with water orally. The appearance of psilocybin is Size 2 HPMC opaque.
- DrugNiacin 100mg
One capsule contains 100mg of niacin will be administered with water orally. The appearance of the active placebo is Size 2 HPMC opaque.
- BehavioralPsychotherapy
The manualized psychotherapy platform will consist of 6 hours of preparatory psychotherapy (prior to the single medication session) and 8 hours of integration psychotherapy following the dosing session.
Locations (2)
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus (CU AMC)Aurora, Colorado
- NYU Langone HealthNew York, New York