Immunopharmacology

Question 1

These two drugs work by inhibiting IL-2:

What does IL-2 do?

Answer 1

Cyclosporine
Tacrolimus
IL-2 is the T cell stimulator.

Question 2

Tacrolimus has two topical analogues used in the treatment of eczema:

Answer 2

Pimecrolimus = elidel
Tacrolimus = protopic

Question 3

These two immunosuppressants used to suppress organ rejection are known to be nephrotoxic:

Answer 3

Cyclosporine

Tacrolimus

Question 4

Calcineurin inhibitor used to prevent transplant rejection:

Answer 4

Cyclosporine

Tacrolimus too, indirectly through FK-binding protein

Question 5

Drug that acts at FK-binding protein to prevent organ rejection:

Answer 5

Tacrolimus

Question 6

Which drug will cause gingival hyperplasia / hirsutism: Cyclosporine or tacrolimus? Neurotoxicity? Nephrotoxicity?

Answer 6

Gingival hyperplasia / hair = Cyclosporine
Neurotoxic = Tacrolimus
Nephrotoxic = both

Question 7

Anti-rejection drug that is a precursor to 6-mercaptopurine:

Answer 7

AzathioPRINE

Question 8

mTOR inhibitor:

Answer 8

Sirolimus = rapamycin

Question 9

This drug is metabolized by xanthine oxidase. People taking this medication cannot receive allopurinol, why?

Answer 9

6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine

Allopurinol blocks xanthine oxidase

Question 10

Anti-CD3 mAb used for immunosuppression:

Answer 10

Muromonab

Question 11

mAb against CD25 used for immunosuppression:

Answer 11

Daclizumab

Remember, CD25 = IL-2

Question 12

This immunosuppressive and anti-angiogenic drug is anti-TNFa.

Answer 12

Thalidomide

Question 13

Mechanism of action of mycophenolate mofetil:

Answer 13

Blocks ionosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, prevents guanine from being made.

Question 14

How does azathioprine work?

Answer 14

It’s a precursor to 6-mercaptopurine, which interferes with nucleic acid synthesis and prevents T cells from dividing properly.

Question 15

Rapamycin: how does it work?

Answer 15

Inhibits mTOR / IL-2. Prevents T cells from being stimulated.

Question 16

What kind of drug is filgrastim?

Answer 16

IL-3 like agent

Fil-GRA-STIM = like granulocyte colony stimulating factor

Question 17

What kind of drug is Infliximab? Can you name two others with the same target?

Answer 17

Anti-TNFa
Infliximab
Etanercept
Adalimumab

Question 18

This drug binds glycoprotein IIb/IIIa on platelets and inhibits their activation:

Answer 18

Abciximab

Question 19

What is rituximab’s primary indication? Where does it work?

Answer 19

It’s anti-CD20

B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Question 20

Omalizumab, what do you use it for?

Answer 20

It’s anti-IgE. Used in severe refractory asthma.

Question 21

Main indication for b-interferon:

Answer 21

MS

Question 22

Two drugs used in bone marrow recovery:

Answer 22

Filgrastim
Sargramostim
GRAnulocyte STIMulators

Question 23

Drug used in Hep B, C, Kaposi’s sarcoma, malignant melanoma:

Answer 23

INF-a

Question 24

What is abviximab used for?

Answer 24

It inhibits platelet activation

Prevents cardiac ischemia, used post-PCI and in unstable angina.

Question 25

Three “big guns” used in lupus nephritis (3):

Answer 25

Cyclosporine
Azathioprine
Mycophenolate

Question 26

What type of hypersensitivity is responsible for contact dermatitis?

Answer 26

Type IV (cell-mediated)

Question 27

Complement protein responsible for neutrophil chemotaxis:

Answer 27

c5a