Chemotherapy: ruxolitinib in myelofibrosis: 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: ruxolitinib in myelofibrosis

Sample item

A 66-year-old man with primary myelofibrosis and a JAK2 V617F mutation has massive splenomegaly, night sweats and weight loss. Which drug reduces spleen size and constitutional symptoms?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ruxolitinib

Myelofibrosis is a myeloproliferative neoplasm with constitutive JAK-STAT signalling. Ruxolitinib inhibits JAK1 and JAK2, shrinking the spleen and relieving symptoms, though it can cause anaemia and thrombocytopenia.

Option by option

  • A. Ruxolitinib (correct)

    Correct. Ruxolitinib inhibits JAK1 and JAK2 signalling.

  • B. Rituximab

    Rituximab targets CD20 on B cells and has no role in myelofibrosis.

  • C. Imatinib

    Imatinib inhibits BCR-ABL, KIT and PDGFR and does not target JAK2.

  • D. Bortezomib

    Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor used in multiple myeloma.

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, Ruxolitinib. Myelofibrosis is a myeloproliferative neoplasm with constitutive JAK-STAT signalling.

Why is "Rituximab" not the answer?

Rituximab targets CD20 on B cells and has no role in myelofibrosis.

Why is "Imatinib" not the answer?

Imatinib inhibits BCR-ABL, KIT and PDGFR and does not target JAK2.

Why is "Bortezomib" not the answer?

Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor used in multiple myeloma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chemotherapy: ruxolitinib in myelofibrosis in Pharmacology. Ruxolitinib inhibits JAK1 and JAK2, shrinking the spleen and relieving symptoms, though it can cause anaemia and thrombocytopenia.

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: ruxolitinib in myelofibrosis?

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.