Chemotherapy: dupilumab target: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Chemotherapy: dupilumab target

Sample item

A 25-year-old with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis uncontrolled on topical therapy starts a monoclonal antibody and later develops conjunctivitis. Which target does it block?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, blocking IL-4 and IL-13

Dupilumab binds the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit shared by the IL-4 and IL-13 receptors, blocking type 2 inflammation. It is used in atopic dermatitis, asthma and nasal polyposis, and conjunctivitis is a recognised adverse effect. Mepolizumab targets IL-5 and omalizumab targets IgE.

Option by option

  • A. IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, blocking IL-4 and IL-13 (correct)

    Correct. Dupilumab blocks the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit.

  • B. Immunoglobulin E antibody

    IgE is the target of omalizumab.

  • C. Interleukin-5 cytokine

    IL-5 is the target of mepolizumab.

  • D. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha

    TNF is the target of infliximab and adalimumab.

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.

More Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, blocking IL-4 and IL-13. Dupilumab binds the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit shared by the IL-4 and IL-13 receptors, blocking type 2 inflammation.

Why is "Immunoglobulin E antibody" not the answer?

IgE is the target of omalizumab.

Why is "Interleukin-5 cytokine" not the answer?

IL-5 is the target of mepolizumab.

Why is "Tumour necrosis factor-alpha" not the answer?

TNF is the target of infliximab and adalimumab.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chemotherapy: dupilumab target in Pharmacology. It is used in atopic dermatitis, asthma and nasal polyposis, and conjunctivitis is a recognised adverse effect. Mepolizumab targets IL-5 and omalizumab targets IgE.

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 Chemotherapy: dupilumab target?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.