Chemotherapy: sirolimus compared with calcineurin inhibitors: 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: sirolimus compared with calcineurin inhibitors

Sample item

A renal transplant recipient with tacrolimus-related nephrotoxicity is switched to sirolimus. Which adverse effect is characteristic of sirolimus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hyperlipidaemia, mouth ulcers and delayed wound healing

Sirolimus inhibits mTOR, blocking IL-2 driven T cell proliferation. Its typical adverse effects are hyperlipidaemia, aphthous ulcers, delayed wound healing, proteinuria and pneumonitis, while it lacks the direct nephrotoxicity of calcineurin inhibitors. Gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism belong to cyclosporine.

Option by option

  • A. Hyperlipidaemia, mouth ulcers and delayed wound healing (correct)

    Correct. Lipid disturbance, mouth ulcers and poor wound healing are typical of mTOR inhibition.

  • B. Tremor and new-onset diabetes

    Tremor and new-onset diabetes are typical of tacrolimus.

  • C. Gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism

    Gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism are typical of cyclosporine.

  • D. Marked nephrotoxicity with hyperkalaemia

    Nephrotoxicity with hyperkalaemia is typical of calcineurin inhibitors.

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, Hyperlipidaemia, mouth ulcers and delayed wound healing. Sirolimus inhibits mTOR, blocking IL-2 driven T cell proliferation.

Why is "Tremor and new-onset diabetes" not the answer?

Tremor and new-onset diabetes are typical of tacrolimus.

Why is "Gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism" not the answer?

Gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism are typical of cyclosporine.

Why is "Marked nephrotoxicity with hyperkalaemia" not the answer?

Nephrotoxicity with hyperkalaemia is typical of calcineurin inhibitors.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chemotherapy: sirolimus compared with calcineurin inhibitors in Pharmacology. Its typical adverse effects are hyperlipidaemia, aphthous ulcers, delayed wound healing, proteinuria and pneumonitis, while it lacks the direct nephrotoxicity of calcineurin inhibitors. Gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism belong to cyclosporine.

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: sirolimus compared with calcineurin inhibitors?

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.