Skin tumours: PD-1 inhibitors in melanoma: 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 · Skin tumours: PD-1 inhibitors in melanoma

Sample item

A 55-year-old has metastatic melanoma without a BRAF mutation. Which class of drug acts by releasing the brake on T cells and is a standard immunotherapy?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. PD-1 inhibitor such as pembrolizumab

PD-1 inhibitors restore T-cell activity against tumour cells and are standard for advanced melanoma. They cause immune-related adverse effects such as colitis and thyroiditis.

Option by option

  • A. Alkylating agent alone

    Alkylating agents alone are not standard, as they have low response rates.

  • B. PD-1 inhibitor such as pembrolizumab (correct)

    Correct. PD-1 inhibitors release the T-cell checkpoint brake.

  • C. BRAF inhibitor

    BRAF inhibitors target the mutant kinase and need a BRAF mutation.

  • D. Hedgehog inhibitor

    Hedgehog inhibitors treat advanced basal cell carcinoma.

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 B, PD-1 inhibitor such as pembrolizumab. PD-1 inhibitors restore T-cell activity against tumour cells and are standard for advanced melanoma.

Why is "Alkylating agent alone" not the answer?

Alkylating agents alone are not standard, as they have low response rates.

Why is "BRAF inhibitor" not the answer?

BRAF inhibitors target the mutant kinase and need a BRAF mutation.

Why is "Hedgehog inhibitor" not the answer?

Hedgehog inhibitors treat advanced basal cell carcinoma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Skin tumours: PD-1 inhibitors in melanoma in Dermatology. They cause immune-related adverse effects such as colitis and thyroiditis.

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 Skin tumours: PD-1 inhibitors in melanoma?

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.