Agrawal M., Richards W., Beaussant Y., et al. “Psilocybin‐Assisted Group Therapy in Patients with Cancer Diagnosed with a Major Depressive Disorder” Cancer, July 2023.

Authors

Manish Agrawal MD, William Richards PhD, Yvan Beaussant MD, Sarah Shnayder, Rezvan Ameli PhD, Kimberly Roddy MBA, Norma Stevens MS, Brian Richards PhD, Nick Schor MD, Heather Honstein RN, Betsy Jenkins MA, Mark Bates PhD, Paul Thambi MD

Originally published in Cancer as Psilocybin‐assisted group therapy in patients with cancer
diagnosed with a major depressive disorder

Published Date: July 21, 2023

Abstract

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.

Methods

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.

Results

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 < .0001) by week 8. Eighty percent of participants demonstrated a sustained response to psilocybin treatment; 50% showed full remission of depressive symptoms at week 1, which was sustained for 8 weeks.

Conclusions

Psilocybin‐assisted therapy in group cohort administration was safe and feasible in patients with cancer and depression. Efficacy was suggested based on clinically meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms. The novel, group‐oriented format, compact delivery time, community cancer center setting, and one‐to‐one therapist‐to‐patient ratio could also add to therapeutic gains and efficiency of administration.