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
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.
Detailed 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 psychotherapy platform.
Arms & 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.
Outcome measures
Primary
Change in Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A): SIGH-A Score
Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (SIGH-A) measures the level of anxiety in participants. Scoring is based on a 17-item scale and scores of 0-7 are considered as being normal, 8-16 suggest mild anxiety, 17-23 moderate anxiety, and scores over 24 are indicative of severe anxiety; the maximum score being 52.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Secondary
Change in Structured Interview Guide for the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS): SIGMA Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Change in Structured Interview Guide for the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS): SIGMA Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Change in Structured Interview Guide for the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS): SIGMA Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Depression Subscale Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Depression Subscale Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Depression Subscale Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Anxiety Subscale Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Anxiety Subscale Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Anxiety Subscale Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Changes in Demoralization Scale Version II (DS-II) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Changes in Demoralization Scale Version II (DS-II) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Changes in Demoralization Scale Version II (DS-II) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Change in Death and Dying Distress Scale Version 2 (DADDS-2) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Change in Death and Dying Distress Scale Version 2 (DADDS-2) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Change in Death and Dying Distress Scale Version 2 (DADDS-2) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Change in Death Transcendence Scale (DTS) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Change in Death Transcendence Scale (DTS) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Change in Death Transcendence Scale (DTS) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Change in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Change in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Change in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Change in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual well-being, 12-items (FACIT-Sp-12) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Change in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual well-being, 12-items (FACIT-Sp-12) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Change in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual well-being, 12-items (FACIT-Sp-12) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Change in Clinical Global Impression - Severity of Illness (CGI-S) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Change in Clinical Global Impression - Severity of Illness (CGI-S) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Change in Clinical Global Impression - Severity of Illness (CGI-S) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Change in Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 8
Change in Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Change in Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) Score
Time frame: Baseline, Month 6
Change in Persisting Effects Questionnaire (PEQ) Score
Time frame: Week 8, Month 6
Mystical Experience Questionnaire-30 items (MEQ-30) Score
Time frame: 8 hours post-medication
Eligibility criteria
Study locations (2)
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus (CU AMC)
Aurora, Colorado, 80045
NYU Langone Health
New York, New York, 10016
References
- Schipper S, Nigam K, Schmid Y, Piechotta V, Ljuslin M, Beaussant Y, Schwarzer G, Boehlke C. Psychedelic-assisted therapy for treating anxiety, depression, and existential distress in people with life-threatening diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024 Sep 12;9(9):CD015383. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD015383.pub2.(PubMed)