Additionally, the IPF patients with a high ACPA proportion in the BALF had significantly better outcomes than those with a low ACPA proportion did (median overall survival time: 92.4 months vs. 41.1 months, p = 0.04).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The corrected BALF ACPA level might be an important biomarker for identifying IPF phenotypes with favourable outcomes. The gene discussed is PRTN3; the disease is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.