In terms of novel biomarkers of prognosis in COPD, the study by Stolz et al. [2] found that simultaneously elevated plasma levels of the three biomarkers adrenomedullin, arginine vasopressin and atrial natriuretic peptide were associated with increased mortality risk during a 5-year follow-up in patients with stable COPD. The gene discussed is ADM; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.