Chemotherapy: streptozocin in islet cell tumours: 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: streptozocin in islet cell tumours

Sample item

A man with a metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour is given a nitrosourea alkylating agent that is taken up selectively by pancreatic beta cells through the GLUT2 transporter. Renal tubular injury is its dose-limiting toxicity. Which drug is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Streptozocin

Streptozocin is a glucose-linked nitrosourea that enters beta cells through GLUT2 and is used for pancreatic islet cell tumours. It is relatively marrow-sparing, but renal tubular damage limits the dose. It can also cause hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia.

Option by option

  • A. Busulfan

    Busulfan is an alkylating agent used in CML and conditioning regimens, with pulmonary fibrosis.

  • B. Streptozocin (correct)

    Correct. Streptozocin enters beta cells via GLUT2 and is nephrotoxic.

  • C. Dacarbazine

    Dacarbazine is a methylating agent used in melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, with nausea and marrow suppression.

  • D. Carmustine

    Carmustine is a lipid-soluble nitrosourea used in brain tumours with delayed myelosuppression and pulmonary fibrosis.

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 B, Streptozocin. Streptozocin is a glucose-linked nitrosourea that enters beta cells through GLUT2 and is used for pancreatic islet cell tumours.

Why is "Busulfan" not the answer?

Busulfan is an alkylating agent used in CML and conditioning regimens, with pulmonary fibrosis.

Why is "Dacarbazine" not the answer?

Dacarbazine is a methylating agent used in melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, with nausea and marrow suppression.

Why is "Carmustine" not the answer?

Carmustine is a lipid-soluble nitrosourea used in brain tumours with delayed myelosuppression and pulmonary fibrosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chemotherapy: streptozocin in islet cell tumours in Pharmacology. It is relatively marrow-sparing, but renal tubular damage limits the dose. It can also cause hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia.

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: streptozocin in islet cell tumours?

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.