Chemotherapy: bortezomib: 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: bortezomib

Sample item

A 65-year-old man with multiple myeloma is treated with a drug that inhibits the 26S proteasome. Which adverse effect is characteristic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Peripheral neuropathy

Bortezomib blocks the proteasome and so prevents degradation of regulatory proteins in myeloma cells. Painful peripheral neuropathy is characteristic, along with thrombocytopenia and herpes zoster reactivation. Haemorrhagic cystitis is a feature of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.

Option by option

  • A. Peripheral neuropathy (correct)

    Correct. A painful sensory peripheral neuropathy is the typical dose-limiting effect.

  • B. Hand-foot syndrome

    Hand-foot syndrome is typical of fluorouracil and capecitabine.

  • C. Haemorrhagic cystitis

    Haemorrhagic cystitis is caused by cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.

  • D. Pulmonary fibrosis

    Pulmonary fibrosis is typical of bleomycin and busulfan.

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, Peripheral neuropathy. Bortezomib blocks the proteasome and so prevents degradation of regulatory proteins in myeloma cells.

Why is "Hand-foot syndrome" not the answer?

Hand-foot syndrome is typical of fluorouracil and capecitabine.

Why is "Haemorrhagic cystitis" not the answer?

Haemorrhagic cystitis is caused by cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.

Why is "Pulmonary fibrosis" not the answer?

Pulmonary fibrosis is typical of bleomycin and busulfan.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chemotherapy: bortezomib in Pharmacology. Painful peripheral neuropathy is characteristic, along with thrombocytopenia and herpes zoster reactivation. Haemorrhagic cystitis is a feature of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.

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: bortezomib?

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.