This Phase II trial long-term follow-up (n=30) found that a single dose of psilocybin (25mg) combined with psychological support provided sustained benefits for cancer patients with depression, with 54% showing significant depression reduction (50% remission) and 46% experiencing reduced anxiety at 2 years’ follow-up, suggesting a potential paradigm shift in depression treatment for cancer patients compared to traditional daily antidepressants.
Abstract of Long-term benefits of single-dose psilocybin in depressed patients with cancer
“Background: Patients with cancer often struggle with depression, which can negatively impact quality of life as well as be challenging to manage.
Methods: A phase 2 trial was conducted that demonstrated safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a single dose of psilocybin combined with psychological support in a community cancer setting in 30 patients with cancer and a major depressive disorder. Here, efficacy outcomes at 2 years’ follow‐up are reported.
Results: Of 28 patients, 15 (53.6%) demonstrated significant reduction in depression as measured by the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (average, –15.0 points from baseline; p < .001), and 14 (50%) had sustained depression reduction. Thirteen patients (46.4%) experienced significant reduction in anxiety as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (average, –13.9 points from baseline, p < .001), and 12 (42.9%) had sustained anxiety reduction.
Conclusions: These findings demonstrate robust antidepressive activity from a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy and suggest a potentially paradigm‐changing alternative to traditional antidepressants requiring further study.“
Authors: Manish Agrawal, Kim Roddy, Betsy Jenkins, Celia Leeks & Ezekiel Emanuel
Summary of Long-term benefits of single-dose psilocybin in depressed patients with cancer
Depression affects roughly a quarter of individuals diagnosed with cancer, presenting significant challenges to both quality of life and treatment outcomes. Traditional methods for addressing depression in these patients—such as antidepressant medication—have shown only limited efficacy and often come with drawbacks such as side effects or slow onset of action. The authors note that while psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms, has demonstrated short-term antidepressant benefits in prior studies, little is known about its long-term impact in cancer patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Agrawal and colleagues sought to investigate whether a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, administered alongside psychological support, could lead to sustained relief from depression in individuals with cancer. The study builds upon earlier research showing promising short-term effects and aims to fill the gap in understanding the compound’s long-term efficacy. Their focus was on assessing depression and anxiety outcomes two years after treatment in this population, representing a novel contribution to the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy for oncology patients.
Methods
Study Design and Eligibility
This Phase II, single-centre, open-label trial involved 30 adults diagnosed with either curable or incurable cancer, all of whom also met diagnostic criteria for MDD. Participants were not on antidepressants, antipsychotics, or medical cannabis at the time of screening and had no significant suicide risk. Approval was obtained from an independent institutional review board, and written informed consent was secured from all participants.
Intervention and Psychological Support
Find this paper
Long-term benefits of single-dose psilocybin in depressed patients with cancer
https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.35889
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Cite this paper (APA)
Agrawal, M., Roddy, K., Jenkins, B., Leeks, C., & Emanuel, E. (2025). Long‐term benefits of single‐dose psilocybin in depressed patients with cancer. Cancer, 131(12), e35889.
Study details
Compounds studied
Psilocybin
Topics studied
Depression
Palliative Care
Study characteristics
Original Re-analysis
Open-Label
Longitudinal
Follow-up
Participants
28
Humans
Compound Details
The psychedelics given at which dose and how many times
Psilocybin 25 mg | 1xLinked Research Papers
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Linked Clinical Trial
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