Monocyte count and decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with IPF

Abstract

Introduction: Immune cells, including monocytes, are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of IPF. A higher monocyte count has been associated with disease progression and mortality in patients with IPF. Aim: Investigate the rate of decline in FVC in patients with IPF in subgroups by monocyte count at baseline. Methods: We used pooled data from the TOMORROW and INPULSIS trials to assess the rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) over 52 weeks in patients treated with nintedanib vs placebo in subgroups by monocyte count Results: Among 1229 patients, mean monocyte count was 0.51 K/μl; 45.0% had monocyte count ≥0.51 K/μL. Median (min, max) monocyte count was 0.48 (0.0, 1.4) K/μL. In the placebo group, the adjusted rate of decline in FVC was numerically greater in patients with monocyte count ≥0.51 K/μL (-260.4 mL/year [SE 18.7]) than Conclusion: In patients with IPF, high monocyte count may be associated with faster decline in FVC. Nintedanib reduces the rate of decline in FVC both in patients with monocyte count