Nose and paranasal sinuses: biologic therapy in nasal polyposis: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Nose and paranasal sinuses: biologic therapy in nasal polyposis

Sample item

A 45-year-old with asthma and severe recurrent nasal polyposis relapses after two endoscopic surgeries and repeated oral steroids. Which monoclonal antibody that blocks the shared receptor subunit for IL-4 and IL-13 may be added?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Dupilumab

Dupilumab blocks the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, inhibiting both IL-4 and IL-13 signalling in type 2 inflammation, and is used for severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Omalizumab targets IgE.

Option by option

  • A. Infliximab

    Infliximab blocks tumour necrosis factor alpha and is not used for nasal polyps.

  • B. Dupilumab (correct)

    Correct. Dupilumab blocks the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit and is used in polyposis with type 2 inflammation.

  • C. Omalizumab

    Omalizumab binds free IgE and does not block IL-4 or IL-13 signalling.

  • D. Rituximab

    Rituximab depletes CD20 B cells and is used in lymphoma and vasculitis.

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.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Dupilumab. Dupilumab blocks the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, inhibiting both IL-4 and IL-13 signalling in type 2 inflammation, and is used for severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Why is "Infliximab" not the answer?

Infliximab blocks tumour necrosis factor alpha and is not used for nasal polyps.

Why is "Omalizumab" not the answer?

Omalizumab binds free IgE and does not block IL-4 or IL-13 signalling.

Why is "Rituximab" not the answer?

Rituximab depletes CD20 B cells and is used in lymphoma and vasculitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nose and paranasal sinuses: biologic therapy in nasal polyposis in ENT. 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 Nose and paranasal sinuses: biologic therapy in nasal polyposis?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.