Biologics: growth factors MCQs With Answer

Introduction

Biologics: Growth Factors MCQs With Answer is a targeted quiz resource for M.Pharm students studying Biological Evaluation of Drug Therapy. This set focuses on growth factors — endogenous proteins and peptides that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and tissue repair — and their therapeutic applications, mechanisms, production and safety considerations. The questions emphasize molecular signaling (RTKs, JAK/STAT, serine/threonine kinases), recombinant production and formulation issues (glycosylation, pegylation, expression systems), clinical uses (EPO, G-CSF, PDGF, VEGF inhibitors) and adverse effects. Use these MCQs to deepen conceptual understanding and prepare for advanced examinations and practical evaluations in biologic therapeutics.

Q1. What best defines a growth factor?

• Small molecule hormone that increases metabolic rate
• Protein or peptide that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and survival
• Lipid mediator that induces vasodilation and inflammation
• Antibody that neutralizes cytokines

Correct Answer: Protein or peptide that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and survival

Q2. Which receptor class is most commonly activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF)?

• G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)
• Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)
• Ligand-gated ion channel
• Serine/threonine kinase receptor

Correct Answer: Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)

Q3. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) primarily promotes which biological process?

• Apoptosis of endothelial cells
• Angiogenesis and increased vascular permeability
• Inhibition of fibroblast proliferation
• Direct stimulation of erythropoiesis

Correct Answer: Angiogenesis and increased vascular permeability

Q4. Which intracellular signaling pathway is most directly associated with erythropoietin (EPO) receptor activation?

• cAMP-PKA pathway
• JAK/STAT pathway
• Notch signaling
• Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Correct Answer: JAK/STAT pathway

Q5. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is primarily indicated for which condition?

• Neutropenia due to chemotherapy
• Chronic kidney disease-associated anemia
• Acute bacterial infections
• Hyperthyroidism

Correct Answer: Chronic kidney disease-associated anemia

Q6. Filgrastim is a recombinant form of which growth factor used clinically?

• Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
• Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
• Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
• Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)

Correct Answer: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)

Q7. The most common adverse effect associated with G-CSF therapy is:

• Hypertension and thrombosis
• Bone pain and musculoskeletal discomfort
• Severe hypoglycemia
• Renal failure

Correct Answer: Bone pain and musculoskeletal discomfort

Q8. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is best characterized by which action?

• Stimulates erythroid progenitors exclusively
• Promotes extracellular matrix production and fibrosis
• Directly degrades collagen in wounds
• Acts as a potent angiogenic inhibitor only

Correct Answer: Promotes extracellular matrix production and fibrosis

Q9. Which therapeutic agent is a recombinant PDGF used topically to promote wound healing (e.g., diabetic foot ulcers)?

• Becaplermin (recombinant PDGF-BB)
• Ranibizumab (anti-VEGF Fab)
• Filgrastim (G-CSF)
• Interferon-alpha

Correct Answer: Becaplermin (recombinant PDGF-BB)

Q10. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) primarily affects which cell types during repair?

• Neurons and oligodendrocytes
• Smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts
• Red blood cells
• Hepatocytes exclusively

Correct Answer: Smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts

Q11. Pegylation of a recombinant growth factor is performed mainly to:

• Decrease molecular size for better tissue penetration
• Increase half-life and reduce renal clearance
• Increase immunogenicity to boost immune response
• Modify the amino acid sequence to change receptor specificity

Correct Answer: Increase half-life and reduce renal clearance

Q12. A biosimilar is best described as:

• An identical chemical copy of a biologic like a small-molecule generic
• A biological product highly similar to a reference product with no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, and potency
• A synthetic molecule that mimics growth factor function exactly
• A labeling change to an existing biologic without manufacturing changes

Correct Answer: A biological product highly similar to a reference product with no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, and potency

Q13. Which production host is preferred when therapeutic growth factors require complex human-like glycosylation?

• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells
• Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) without modification
• Baculovirus-infected insect cells with no further processing

Correct Answer: Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells

Q14. Which growth factor family signals primarily through serine/threonine kinase receptors?

• EGF family
• TGF-beta family
• VEGF family
• Colony-stimulating factor family

Correct Answer: TGF-beta family

Q15. Which of the following is NOT classified as a colony-stimulating factor?

• Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
• Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)
• Erythropoietin (EPO)
• M-CSF (macrophage colony-stimulating factor)

Correct Answer: Erythropoietin (EPO)

Q16. Bevacizumab exerts its therapeutic effect by which mechanism?

• Blocking VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity intracellularly
• Binding VEGF-A ligand and preventing receptor interaction
• Acting as a soluble VEGF receptor agonist
• Stimulating endothelial progenitor cell proliferation

Correct Answer: Binding VEGF-A ligand and preventing receptor interaction

Q17. Use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in certain cancer patients has been associated with:

• Decreased tumor progression and improved survival in all cancer types
• Increased thromboembolic events and possible decreased survival in some malignancies
• Complete remission of solid tumors
• Universal protection against chemotherapy toxicity

Correct Answer: Increased thromboembolic events and possible decreased survival in some malignancies

Q18. Which assay is most appropriate to measure the biological activity of a recombinant colony-stimulating factor?

• Mass spectrometry quantifying peptide fragments
• Cell-based proliferation bioassay using responsive progenitor cells
• pH titration curve
• UV-visible spectroscopy absorbance at 280 nm

Correct Answer: Cell-based proliferation bioassay using responsive progenitor cells

Q19. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) primarily mediates its effects through which mechanism?

• Activation of a receptor tyrosine kinase similar to the insulin receptor
• Binding to nuclear receptors and altering gene transcription directly
• Forming ion channels in the plasma membrane
• Acting as a transcription factor in the cytosol

Correct Answer: Activation of a receptor tyrosine kinase similar to the insulin receptor

Q20. A major challenge in developing therapeutic growth factors as biologics is:

• Their inability to bind any cellular receptors
• Manufacturing complexity including correct folding, glycosylation and consistent bioactivity
• Their solubility in organic solvents only
• The complete lack of any immunogenicity in humans

Correct Answer: Manufacturing complexity including correct folding, glycosylation and consistent bioactivity

Download