# Family and Physician Perspectives: Unassailable, a p53 and PIK3CA Mutant Glioblastoma in a Child

## TL;DR

A child with a difficult-to-treat brain tumor highlights the need for better treatments and clinical trial access.

## Contribution

Presents a case emphasizing the importance of research and novel therapies for pediatric high-grade gliomas.

## Key findings

- Standard treatments failed for a child with a p53 and PIK3CA mutant glioblastoma.
- Families and physicians advocate for expanded clinical trial access for pediatric brain tumor patients.
- There is a shared hope for improved outcomes through future research and therapies.

## Abstract

Pediatric high-grade gliomas are difficult-to-treat brain tumours with poor prognosis. Despite attempts to treat one patient’s high-grade glioma with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, we were unsuccessful. It is the perspective of his parents and treating physician that these types of tumours warrant further research and that patients should have access to clinical trial participation and novel therapies. There is tremendous hope that the prognosis for difficult-to-treat pediatric brain tumours will one day be much improved.

High-grade gliomas in children continue to have a dismal prognosis. This case is of a child with a diffuse pediatric-type high-grade glioma H3 and IDH-wildtype, treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and a targeted agent without success. Physician and family perspectives are also presented. Options for treatment and research participation are limited, but there is a strong desire from patients and families to access new treatment modalities and take part in clinical trials. Treating teams and families remain hopeful that in the future, tumours like the one described in this report will be treated with much greater success.