Chemotherapy: belimumab: 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: belimumab

Sample item

A woman with active systemic lupus erythematosus, positive for anti-dsDNA, remains symptomatic on hydroxychloroquine and prednisolone. Belimumab is added. Which target does it neutralise?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS or BAFF)

Belimumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds soluble BLyS (BAFF), a survival factor for B cells, reducing autoreactive B-cell survival. It is approved for SLE and lupus nephritis. Rituximab depletes CD20-positive B cells, and eculizumab blocks C5.

Option by option

  • A. Complement component C5

    C5 is the target of eculizumab.

  • B. Interleukin-17A

    IL-17A is the target of secukinumab.

  • C. CD20 on B cells

    CD20 is the target of rituximab.

  • D. B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS or BAFF) (correct)

    Correct. Belimumab neutralises BLyS (BAFF).

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 D, B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS or BAFF). Belimumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds soluble BLyS (BAFF), a survival factor for B cells, reducing autoreactive B-cell survival.

Why is "Complement component C5" not the answer?

C5 is the target of eculizumab.

Why is "Interleukin-17A" not the answer?

IL-17A is the target of secukinumab.

Why is "CD20 on B cells" not the answer?

CD20 is the target of rituximab.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chemotherapy: belimumab in Pharmacology. It is approved for SLE and lupus nephritis. Rituximab depletes CD20-positive B cells, and eculizumab blocks C5.

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: belimumab?

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.