NBME 22 Answers : Block 4 : #24 = A 39-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis comes ...

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submitted by seagull(461),

Im also convinced blocking IL-2 is also a treatment? WHy is TNF-alpha the better answer here?

amorah FA P120-122. Immunosuppressants for RA are calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine and tacrolimus), 6MP, and TNFa inhibitors (adalimumab,infliximab, etanercept). It is important to distinguish that calcineurin inhibitors block t cell activation by preventing IL-2 transcription, not necessarily block IL-2 action. Sirolimus(rapamycin) blocks IL-2 action but it is used for kidney transplant rejection prophylaxis specifically. +3

sbryant6 Spot on. This image explains how Sirolimus blocks the effects of IL-2: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/11-150813013011-lva1-app6892/95/11immunosuppressants-30-638.jpg?cb=1439429471 +

krewfoo99 in addition to the above responses, IL 1 antagonists (Anakinra) can be used to treat RA. Anakinra is a recombinant human IL 1 receptor anatagonist but less effective than other treatment modalities. +