Biologics: interferons MCQs With Answer

Introduction

This collection of multiple-choice questions on Biologics: Interferons is designed for M.Pharm students preparing for exams in Biological Evaluation of Drug Therapy. The quiz emphasizes mechanistic insights, clinical uses, pharmacokinetics, laboratory evaluation, production methods and adverse effect profiles of different interferon classes (alpha, beta, gamma, lambda). Questions focus on JAK-STAT signaling, antiviral and immunomodulatory actions, pegylation effects, neutralizing antibodies, assays for bioactivity and clinical contraindications. Each item tests applied knowledge and critical reasoning relevant to biologics development, therapeutic monitoring and safety assessment, helping students consolidate concepts required for advanced coursework and professional practice.

Q1. Which of the following correctly names the three major interferon types recognized by immunology and pharmacology?

• Type I (alpha, beta), Type II (gamma), Type III (lambda)
• Type A (alpha), Type B (beta), Type C (gamma)
• Class I (alpha), Class II (delta), Class III (epsilon)
• Alpha, Beta, Kappa only

Correct Answer: Type I (alpha, beta), Type II (gamma), Type III (lambda)

Q2. The principal intracellular signaling pathway activated by most interferons leading to induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) is:

• JAK-STAT pathway
• cAMP-PKA pathway
• PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway
• Notch signaling pathway

Correct Answer: JAK-STAT pathway

Q3. Which specialized immune cell type is the dominant producer of high levels of interferon-alpha in response to viral infection?

• Plasmacytoid dendritic cells
• Neutrophils
• Th17 CD4+ T cells
• Red pulp macrophages

Correct Answer: Plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Q4. Pegylation of recombinant interferons is primarily used to:

• Increase circulating half-life and reduce dosing frequency
• Enhance receptor binding affinity by exposing the active site
• Convert the protein into a small molecule drug
• Eliminate all adverse events associated with therapy

Correct Answer: Increase circulating half-life and reduce dosing frequency

Q5. Interferon-alpha has been historically used in the treatment of which of the following conditions?

• Chronic viral hepatitis and certain hematologic malignancies
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus to restore insulin secretion
• Essential hypertension as first-line monotherapy
• Osteoarthritis to promote cartilage regeneration

Correct Answer: Chronic viral hepatitis and certain hematologic malignancies

Q6. The antiviral effect of interferons is mainly mediated through induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that:

• Create an intracellular antiviral state that inhibits viral replication and protein synthesis
• Directly lyse virions in the bloodstream via complement activation
• Neutralize viral entry by cleaving viral glycoproteins extracellularly
• Convert host DNA into viral RNA to distract replication machinery

Correct Answer: Create an intracellular antiviral state that inhibits viral replication and protein synthesis

Q7. Which adverse effect profile is most characteristic of systemic interferon therapy?

• Flu-like syndrome (fever, myalgia), neuropsychiatric symptoms and bone marrow suppression
• Severe anaphylactic shock in >90% of patients on first dose
• Painless retinal detachment as a dose-limiting toxicity
• Absolute absence of systemic side effects due to high specificity

Correct Answer: Flu-like syndrome (fever, myalgia), neuropsychiatric symptoms and bone marrow suppression

Q8. Loss of clinical response to recombinant interferon therapy over time is most commonly associated with:

• Development of neutralizing anti-interferon antibodies
• Immediate drug-induced hypersensitivity on first exposure
• Spontaneous genomic deletion of the interferon receptor in the patient
• Excessive drug accumulation in adipose tissue leading to sequestration

Correct Answer: Development of neutralizing anti-interferon antibodies

Q9. Recombinant interferons produced in Escherichia coli typically lack which post-translational modification important in mammalian expression systems?

• Glycosylation
• Primary amino acid sequence
• Peptide bond formation
• Alpha-helical secondary structure

Correct Answer: Glycosylation

Q10. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays a key role in immunity by primarily:

• Activating macrophages and promoting cell-mediated immunity
• Inhibiting macrophage activation and promoting humoral tolerance
• Directly neutralizing bacterial endotoxin in circulation
• Increasing eosinophil-mediated allergic responses exclusively

Correct Answer: Activating macrophages and promoting cell-mediated immunity

Q11. Type III interferons (IFN-lambdas) are distinguished clinically and pharmacologically by receptors that are mainly expressed on:

• Epithelial cells at mucosal surfaces, providing localized antiviral protection
• Neurons throughout the central nervous system exclusively
• Red blood cells, mediating oxygen transport modulation
• Pancreatic beta-cells to directly regulate insulin secretion

Correct Answer: Epithelial cells at mucosal surfaces, providing localized antiviral protection

Q12. Compared to native interferons, pegylated interferons commonly demonstrate which pharmacokinetic change?

• Prolonged half-life and reduced renal clearance
• Shorter half-life due to faster proteolytic degradation
• Complete elimination of protein binding in plasma
• Immediate tissue-specific accumulation with no systemic exposure

Correct Answer: Prolonged half-life and reduced renal clearance

Q13. The preferred and most common route of administration for therapeutic interferons (alpha and beta) is:

• Subcutaneous injection
• Oral tablet
• Topical transdermal patch
• Inhalation nebulizer as routine delivery

Correct Answer: Subcutaneous injection

Q14. Which laboratory method provides a functional measure of interferon biological activity in a sample?

• Antiviral protection (cytopathic effect) bioassay
• Routine serum glucose measurement
• Standard complete blood count without differential
• Direct mass spectrometry of whole blood without calibration

Correct Answer: Antiviral protection (cytopathic effect) bioassay

Q15. Which interferon subtype is an approved disease-modifying therapy for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis?

• Interferon-beta
• Interferon-alpha 2b only used in MS
• Interferon-lambda as first-line MS therapy
• Interferon-kappa approved for MS

Correct Answer: Interferon-beta

Q16. The Type I interferon receptor complex commonly associates with which pair of Janus kinases (JAKs) to initiate signaling?

• JAK1 and TYK2
• JAK2 and JAK3 only
• Src and Fyn kinases instead of JAK family
• AKT and mTOR as the primary kinases

Correct Answer: JAK1 and TYK2

Q17. Viral antagonism of interferon responses most often involves viral proteins that:

• Inhibit JAK-STAT signaling or block ISG expression
• Increase host ribosomal biogenesis to boost ISG translation
• Promote immediate apoptosis of infected cells to enhance immunity
• Enhance host antibody production within minutes

Correct Answer: Inhibit JAK-STAT signaling or block ISG expression

Q18. To detect functionally relevant anti-interferon neutralizing antibodies in patient serum, the most appropriate assay is:

• Neutralization bioassay measuring loss of interferon activity
• Routine ELISA for total serum cholesterol
• Urine dipstick test
• Standard Gram stain of serum

Correct Answer: Neutralization bioassay measuring loss of interferon activity

Q19. A distinguishing practical feature of interferon-beta compared with interferon-alpha is that IFN-beta is:

• Produced by fibroblasts and commonly used as a therapy in multiple sclerosis
• Only produced in the thymus and exclusively used for diabetes
• Delivered orally due to excellent gastrointestinal stability
• Completely devoid of immune-modulating properties

Correct Answer: Produced by fibroblasts and commonly used as a therapy in multiple sclerosis

Q20. Which of the following is a major contraindication or strong precaution for initiating interferon therapy?

• Severe uncontrolled psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression
• Mild seasonal allergic rhinitis only
• Uncomplicated eczema of the elbow with no systemic features
• Corrected refractive error requiring glasses

Correct Answer: Severe uncontrolled psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression

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