Biologics

Question 1

Rituximab

Answer 1

MOA: Targets CD20 antigen on B cells, leading to B-cell depletion.

Indications: Approved for pemphigus vulgaris as suppresses IgG, and used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after inadequate response to DMARDs, and for certain B-cell malignancies.

Question 2

Adalimumab

Answer 2

MOA: Fully human monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

Indications: RA, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Question 3

Etanercept

Answer 3

MOA: Fusion protein acting as a decoy receptor for TNF-α, inhibiting its activity.

Indications: RA, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis

Question 4

Infliximab

Answer 4

MOA: Chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to TNF-α, neutralizing its effects.

Indications: RA, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Question 5

Tocilizumab

Answer 5

MOA: Humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor.

Indications: RA, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and giant cell arteritis

Question 6

Ustekinumab

Answer 6

MOA: Monoclonal antibody targeting the p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23 cytokines.

Indications: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn’s disease

Question 7

Secukinumab

Answer 7

MOA: Human monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-17A.

Indications: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Question 8

Dupilumab

Answer 8

MOA: Monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, inhibiting IL-4 and IL-13 signaling.

Indications: Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

Question 9

Omalizumab

Answer 9

MOA: anti-IgE Monoclonal antibody that binds to immunoglobulin E (IgE), preventing its interaction with receptors on mast cells and basophils.

Indications: Moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma and chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Question 10

Belimumab

Answer 10

MOA: Monoclonal antibody that inhibits B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), reducing B-cell survival.

Indications: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Question 11

Abatacept

Answer 11

MOA: Fusion protein that inhibits T-cell activation by binding to CD80/CD86, blocking the CD28-mediated co-stimulation of T cells.

Indications: Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Question 12

Bimekizumab

Answer 12

MOA: Humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits both IL-17A and IL-17F.

Indications: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis

Question 13

Certolizumab Pegol

Answer 13

MOA: PEGylated Fab’ fragment of a humanized monoclonal antibody against TNF-α; lacks Fc region, reducing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

Indications: Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and Crohn’s disease

Question 14

Golimumab

Answer 14

MOA: Human monoclonal antibody that inhibits TNF-α.

Indications: Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and ulcerative colitis.