Psilocybin-assisted group therapy in patients with cancer diagnosed with a major depressive disorder

Depression is common in patients with cancer and is associated with lower treatment adherence and reduced quality of life. Antidepressants and psychotherapy have limited success in improving depression among patients with cancer. This study explored the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of psilocybi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cancer 2024-04, Vol.130 (7), p.1137-1146
Main Authors: Agrawal, Manish, Richards, William, Beaussant, Yvan, Shnayder, Sarah, Ameli, Rezvan, Roddy, Kimberly, Stevens, Norma, Richards, Brian, Schor, Nick, Honstein, Heather, Jenkins, Betsy, Bates, Mark, Thambi, Paul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abnormalities
Adverse events
Antidepressants
Cancer
Effectiveness
EKG
Electrocardiography
Feasibility studies
Group therapy
Headache
Mental depression
Patients
Psilocybin
Psychotherapy
Quality of life
Remission
Safety
Therapists
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Summary:Depression is common in patients with cancer and is associated with lower treatment adherence and reduced quality of life. Antidepressants and psychotherapy have limited success in improving depression among patients with cancer. This study explored the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder. This phase 2, open-label trial enrolled patients with curable and noncurable cancer and major depressive disorder at a single community oncology practice site. A single 25-mg dose of psilocybin was administered simultaneously to cohorts of three to four participants with individual (4.25 hours in 1:1 therapist-to-patient ratio) and group therapeutic support (3.75 hours) before, during, and after psilocybin administration. Outcomes included depression severity, anxiety, pain, demoralization, and disability. Thirty participants completed the study. No psilocybin-related serious adverse events occurred; treatment-related adverse events (e.g., nausea, headache) were generally mild and expected. There were no laboratory or electrocardiogram abnormalities. No suicidality was reported. Efficacy was suggested with a robust reduction in depression severity scores from baseline to posttreatment of 19.1 points (95% CI, 22.3 to -16.0; p 
ISSN:0008-543X
1097-0142
DOI:10.1002/cncr.35010