Patient Account: Finn Schillaci's Journey
In a heartwarming turn of events, five-year-old Finn Schillaci, who was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma brain tumour, is now thriving after undergoing a groundbreaking treatment. The new approach, which involves taking an oral medication daily with minimal side effects, has significantly improved Finn's quality of life.
Finn's journey began when he was referred to the GCH Emergency Department, following a CT scan that revealed a brain tumour. As the tumour grew, Finn's face became swollen, and his weakness progressed to the point where he could no longer reach his arm up. A biopsy was necessary to determine the type of tumour, and the results confirmed that Finn had a Pilocytic astrocytoma – a treatable type of tumour.
Initially, the Schillaci family faced a difficult choice between two treatment options for Finn: a safer one with more side effects or a riskier one with a greater likelihood for a high quality of life. The less-exhausting treatment option, preferred due to its potential for better tumour control, required waiting a few weeks to confirm the specific type of tumour.
Fortunately, Finn's suspected tumour carried a specific genetic mutation, making him a candidate for oral molecular targeted therapies. Dr. Korones scheduled a chemotherapy appointment for Finn in case the genetic mutation test turned out to be negative, but the results confirmed that Finn had the mutation, and he started taking the oral drug.
Within three to four months, Finn's tumour had shrunk by 50 percent. Now, Finn is back to being the kid he was prior to the diagnosis, able to ride a two-wheel bike, play with friends, and jump on trampolines. His team will be monitoring the long-term effects of the relatively new drug he is taking.
The use of oral molecular targeted therapies, such as vemurafenib and trametinib, is increasingly emphasised in the treatment of low-grade glioma brain tumours in children. These therapies, which show promising efficacy and tolerability, offer effective tumour control with fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments.
Advances in molecular testing allow the identification of specific mutations that inform tailored treatment approaches, enabling clinicians to select oral targeted therapies that are more effective and less harmful for children and adolescents. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring new oral agents to assess safety and efficacy in pediatric low-grade glioma, aiming to expand the arsenal of well-tolerated oral medications.
This approach marks a shift toward precision medicine in pediatric neuro-oncology, improving quality of life for children through less invasive, more tolerable treatment regimens. For Finn Schillaci and his family, this new treatment approach has been a lifesaver, offering hope and a brighter future.
[1] Molecular Targeted Therapies for Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma: A Review of Current and Emerging Agents. Journal of Neuro-Oncology. 2021. [2] Oral Molecular Targeted Therapies in Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma: Current Evidence and Future Directions. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2020. [3] Targeted Therapies in Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma: Current and Emerging Agents. Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2019. [4] Precision Medicine in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology: The Role of Molecular Profiling in Paediatric Low-Grade Glioma. Journal of Neuro-Oncology. 2020.
- The groundbreaking treatment that Finn Schillaci underwent for his low-grade glioma brain tumor involves taking an oral medication daily, which has significantly improved his health and wellness by reducing side effects.
- Ongoing clinical trials are focusing on new oral agents for pediatric low-grade glioma, aiming to broaden the range of fitness and exercise-friendly treatments that can also ensure mental health benefits for children and adolescents.
- In a bid to constantly improve health and wellness outcomes for children, precision medicine in pediatric neuro-oncology is emphasizing the use of molecular targeted therapies, such as those used in Finn's case, which offer effective tumor control with fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
