The Safety and Efficacy of Psilocybin in Cancer Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

This is a Phase II, single-center, fixed dose, open label trial to explore the safety, tolerability and efficacy of a 25mg dose of psilocybin in cancer patients with MDD. The study population will include adult men and women, 18 years of age or above, with MDD, diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm. MDD is defined as those who meet DSM5 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 ICD-10. Recent randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of psilocybin therapy for anxiety and depression associated with cancer diagnosis showed significant improvement in study endpoints reflecting psychological distress, as compared to placebo. The effects of a single psilocybin therapy session endured for up to six months with no specific follow-up care. In this study, we aim to explore the safety and efficacy of psilocybin therapy in cancer patients, diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).