A Phase 2 interventional study of Psilocybin and Placebo in Cancer and Major Depressive Disorder, sponsored by Sunstone Medical. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-06.
Sponsored by Sunstone Medical · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
This is a Phase 2, single-center study to explore the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of up to two 25-mg doses of psilocybin administered at an interval of 9 to 10 weeks in patients with MDD and cancer. This two-part study will administer a fixed dose (25 mg) of psilocybin in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled portion (Dosing Session 1) and subsequently allow rollover into an open-label portion (Dosing Session 2; fixed dose of psilocybin, 25 mg) for patients who do not achieve remission of MDD symptoms after the first dose.
In Dosing Session 1, groups of two to four patients will be randomized, as a cohort, to receive either psilocybin 25 mg or niacin 100 mg (active placebo) in a group session, with each patient supported by their dedicated study therapist and monitored by a second therapist via video feed.
In Dosing Session 2, all eligible participants (i.e., patients who have not achieved remission defined as MADRS \< 10 at V7) will receive psilocybin 25 mg in an open-label fashion using the group session model. The study population will include adult men and women who are 18 years of age or older and have diagnoses of both MDD and a malignant neoplasm. MDD is defined as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) 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 International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10). Participants will be recruited through referrals from specialized psychiatric and oncology services as well as through patient self-referrals.
The majority of participants will have no prior exposure to psilocybin or so-called "magic mushrooms"; however, participants with prior recreational experience with psilocybin or "magic mushrooms" are eligible.
9,365 studies on the registry are indexed under Neoplasms; 2,489 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 56 is above the median of 50 across 7,253 interventional studies indexed under Neoplasms.
Browse Neoplasms studies →Sunstone Medical is the lead sponsor of 4 studies on the registry; 3 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Drug: Psilocybin
Drug: Placebo
Psilocybin 25 mg oral capsule
Niacin 100 mg oral capsule
The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
The primary endpoint of efficacy (psilocybin versus active placebo) in this study will be evaluated as change from baseline in MADRS total score at V7 (Week 8).
Time frame: 8 weeks
Treatment-emergent and serious adverse events (TEAEs and SAEs)
Incidence and occurrence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and SAEs from the days of psilocybin treatment (V3 and V9) to V7 and V13 and from the day after each psilocybin treatment (V4 and V10) to V7 and V13.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Incidence of clinically important changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters from Screening (V1) to V7 and from the day before the second psilocybin treatment (V8) to V13.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Laboratory results
Incidence of clinically important changes in laboratory results from Screening (V1) to V7 and from V8 to V13.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Vital Signs
Incidence of clinically significant changes in vital signs from Screening (V1) to V7 and from V8 to V13.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Incidence of changes in suicidal ideation/behavior (measured using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale \[C-SSRS\]) score at all visits from Baseline (the day before each Dosing Session) (V2 and V8) to V7 and V13.
Time frame: 8 weeks
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in May 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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