In a retrospective analysis of data from 118 subjects with IPF, prediction of mortality was more accurate when three circulating biomarkers (MMP-7, KL-6 and SP-A) were included in multivariate models in addition to clinical parameters (age, baseline FVC, baseline DLCO and change in FVC over 6 months) [20]. Here, MMP7 is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.