Skin tumours: hedgehog pathway inhibitors: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Skin tumours: hedgehog pathway inhibitors

Sample item

Vismodegib is used in advanced basal cell carcinoma. Which molecule does it inhibit?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Smoothened

Vismodegib and sonidegib inhibit Smoothened in the hedgehog pathway, which is activated by PTCH1 loss in basal cell carcinoma. Adverse effects include muscle cramps, dysgeusia and alopecia, and they are teratogenic. They are reserved for locally advanced or metastatic tumours.

Option by option

  • A. BRAF

    BRAF inhibitors are used for melanoma.

  • B. PD-1

    PD-1 is the target of checkpoint inhibitors.

  • C. Smoothened (correct)

    Correct. Vismodegib inhibits Smoothened.

  • D. EGFR

    EGFR inhibitors treat other epithelial cancers.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Smoothened. Vismodegib and sonidegib inhibit Smoothened in the hedgehog pathway, which is activated by PTCH1 loss in basal cell carcinoma.

Why is "BRAF" not the answer?

BRAF inhibitors are used for melanoma.

Why is "PD-1" not the answer?

PD-1 is the target of checkpoint inhibitors.

Why is "EGFR" not the answer?

EGFR inhibitors treat other epithelial cancers.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: hedgehog pathway inhibitors in Dermatology. Adverse effects include muscle cramps, dysgeusia and alopecia, and they are teratogenic. They are reserved for locally advanced or metastatic tumours.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Skin tumours: hedgehog pathway inhibitors?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.