Identification of Whole Blood Gene Expression Signature to Predict the Therapeutic Effect of Nintedanib in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

We aimed to determine gene expression signature associated with the therapeutic effect of nintedanib in patients with IPF using whole blood cells. A total of 87 IPF patients treated with nintedanib were prospectively analysed in this study. RNA from whole blood cells was collected from all patients at enrollment (0M), 3 months (3M) after treatment with nintedanib, and/or at the onset of an acute exacerbation (AE). We then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq. Overall design: Participants were classified into 56 responders and 22 non-responders and 9 AE patients. Comparative gene expression profiling analysis between 0M and 3M was performed in 56 responders and 22 non-responders, respectively. Comparative gene expression profiling analysis between 0M and the onset of AE was performed in 9 AE patients. In addition, comparative gene expression profiling analysis between the onset of AE and 3M in 56 responders was also performed.