OCN Oncology Pharmacology 1

Question 1

Targeted therapy with imatinib (Gleevec) works by inhibiting which specific molecular target?

Accepted Answer

BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase

Answer

Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets the BCR-ABL fusion protein, which drives CML cell proliferation.

Question 2

Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is indicated for cancers that overexpress which receptor?

Accepted Answer

HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)

Answer

Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets HER2-overexpressing cancers, most commonly HER2+ breast and gastric cancers.

Question 3

Which drug class inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in cancer treatment?

Accepted Answer

Everolimus and temsirolimus

Answer

Everolimus and temsirolimus are mTOR inhibitors used in renal cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, and certain breast cancers.

Question 4

Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab work by blocking which protein to restore T-cell function?

Accepted Answer

PD-1 (programmed death-1)

Answer

Nivolumab is an anti-PD-1 antibody that blocks the PD-1 checkpoint, preventing tumor cells from suppressing T-cell immune responses.

Question 5

EGFR inhibitors such as erlotinib are most effective in NSCLC patients who have which characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Activating EGFR mutation

Answer

Activating mutations in the EGFR gene (exons 19 and 21) predict sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer.

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