Vesiculobullous disorders: rituximab in pemphigus: 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 · Vesiculobullous disorders: rituximab in pemphigus

Sample item

A man with severe pemphigus vulgaris relapses repeatedly on high-dose prednisolone and azathioprine. A monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells is added. Which target does it bind?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. CD20

Rituximab is an anti-CD20 antibody that depletes B cells, the source of the pathogenic anti-desmoglein antibodies. It is used for severe or refractory pemphigus, and may be given earlier in the course.

Option by option

  • A. CD20 (correct)

    Correct. Rituximab binds CD20 on B cells.

  • B. Tumour necrosis factor

    TNF is the target of infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept.

  • C. CD3

    CD3 is on T cells and is the target of muromonab, not rituximab.

  • D. Interleukin-6 receptor

    Interleukin-6 receptor is the target of tocilizumab.

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 Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, CD20. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 antibody that depletes B cells, the source of the pathogenic anti-desmoglein antibodies.

Why is "Tumour necrosis factor" not the answer?

TNF is the target of infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept.

Why is "CD3" not the answer?

CD3 is on T cells and is the target of muromonab, not rituximab.

Why is "Interleukin-6 receptor" not the answer?

Interleukin-6 receptor is the target of tocilizumab.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vesiculobullous disorders: rituximab in pemphigus in Dermatology. It is used for severe or refractory pemphigus, and may be given earlier in the course.

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 Vesiculobullous disorders: rituximab in pemphigus?

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.