Abstract: This invention concerns methods for monitoring the development of and for treatment of ARDS in a patient. The method for monitoring the development of ARDS is based on comparing the level or activity of the biomarkers obtained in a sample drawn at a later point of time to the levels or activities of the same biomarkers in a sample drawn at a previous point of time. A favourable change in the level or activity of a certain biomarker represents a regression of the disease (recovery of the patient), and, conversely, an adverse change in the level or activity of a certain biomarker represents a worsening of the disease. If, for example, the level or activity for one or more of the biomarkers monitored discontinues to show a favourable change or starts to show an unfavourable change, the treatment of the patient is enhanced by administering a therapeutically active agent useful in the treatment of ARDS.