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Psychedelic

Psilocybin Therapy for Advanced Cancer

Phase 2 & 3
Recruiting
Led By Stephen Ross, MD
Research Sponsored by NYU Langone Health
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Aged ≥ 21
Diagnosis of Advanced (i.e. stage 3 or 4 solid tumors) Cancer
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up week 8, month 6
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial will study the safety and effects of psilocybin in treating anxiety, depression, and existential distress in advanced cancer patients.

Who is the study for?
Adults aged 21+ with advanced stage 3 or 4 cancer experiencing significant depression, anxiety, or existential distress. They must have a support person and agree to use birth control if of childbearing potential. Excluded are those with certain psychiatric disorders, severe heart conditions, epilepsy, dementia, high suicide risk, drug abuse history within the past year, and those on conflicting medications.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The trial is testing the effects of a single dose of psilocybin (25mg) versus an active placebo (niacin 100mg) in reducing anxiety and depression associated with advanced cancer. This is paired with brief psychotherapy aimed at addressing emotional distress related to their condition.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects include temporary changes in perception and mood swings during treatment. Niacin may cause flushing or mild dizziness. Long-term psychological effects are unknown but could potentially include persistent altered states of perception.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am 21 years old or older.
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My cancer is at an advanced stage (3 or 4).
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I can care for myself and do up to some work despite my illness.
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I am 21 years old or older.
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My cancer is advanced or has come back.
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I have an advanced blood cancer such as late-stage lymphoma, myeloma, or leukemia.
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I can care for myself and do light activities.
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I have someone to take me home after my treatment.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~week 8, month 6
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and week 8, month 6 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Change in Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A): SIGH-A Score
Secondary outcome measures
Change in Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) Score
Change in Clinical Global Impression - Severity of Illness (CGI-S) Score
Change in Death Transcendence Scale (DTS) Score
+9 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Participants receiving Study DrugExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Advanced cancer participants will receive experimental medication, psilocybin (25mg). In addition to the pharmacologic intervention, participants will receive a manualized psychotherapy platform. The combination of interventions is referred to as psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP).
Group II: Participants receiving PlaceboActive Control2 Interventions
Advanced cancer participants will receive active placebo - single dose of niacin (100mg). In addition to the placebo, participants will receive the same manualized psychotherapy platform as the experimental arm.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Psychotherapy
2020
Completed Phase 3
~3120

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

NYU Langone HealthLead Sponsor
1,368 Previous Clinical Trials
839,426 Total Patients Enrolled
National Cancer Institute (NCI)NIH
13,665 Previous Clinical Trials
40,925,554 Total Patients Enrolled
Stephen Ross, MDPrincipal InvestigatorNYU Langone Medical Center
5 Previous Clinical Trials
140 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Psilocybin (Psychedelic) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05398484 — Phase 2 & 3
Cancer Research Study Groups: Participants receiving Study Drug, Participants receiving Placebo
Cancer Clinical Trial 2023: Psilocybin Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05398484 — Phase 2 & 3
Psilocybin (Psychedelic) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05398484 — Phase 2 & 3
Cancer Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT05398484 — Phase 2 & 3

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Does this research project allow for participants who are 18 or older?

"This study is looking for participants that fall between the ages of 21 to 100. In contrast, there are 319 trials targeting individuals under 18 and 2348 for those over 65."

Answered by AI

What outcomes are researchers hoping to see from this trial?

"The primary outcome of this trial will be evaluated at Week 0 and Week 8, and will focus on change in GRID-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (GRID-HAMD-17) score. Additionally, secondary outcomes including change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Depression Subscale score, Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) - Anxiety Subscale score, and Change in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) score will also be monitored."

Answered by AI

Who meets the requirements to take part in this experiment?

"Eligibility requirements for this study are having cancer and being between 21 and 100 years old. So far, around 300 people have been accepted into the trial."

Answered by AI

How can people sign up for this opportunity?

"Unfortunately, the information provided on clinicaltrials.gov suggests that this study is not currently looking for new participants. This trial was first posted on November 1st, 2022 and was last updated on September 14th, 2022. Although this study is not enrolling candidates at this time, there are 2540 other trials presently searching for participants."

Answered by AI

Who else is applying?

What state do they live in?
California
Florida
New Jersey
Other
How old are they?
65+
18 - 65
What site did they apply to?
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus (CU AMC)
NYU Langone Health
What portion of applicants met pre-screening criteria?
Did not meet criteria
Met criteria
How many prior treatments have patients received?
3+

Why did patients apply to this trial?

I am terminal . I am very depressed, angry and cannot come to terms with my diagnosis.
PatientReceived no prior treatments
I was diagnosed with stage 4 sclc in 2014. I have been diagnosed with severe depression.
PatientReceived 2+ prior treatments

How responsive is this trial?

Typically responds via
Phone Call
Email
Most responsive sites:
  1. University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus (CU AMC): < 24 hours
  2. NYU Langone Health: < 48 hours
Average response time
  • < 2 Days
~200 spots leftby Jan 2027