Disclosed are methods for preventing, treating, or reducing symptoms of a disorder involving the autotaxin (ATX) pathway. In one embodiment, the method features administering to a mammal a sufficient amount of an autotaxin (ATX) or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling inhibitor, to prevent, treat or reduce symptoms of an inflammatory disorder, autoimmune disorder, fibrosis or malignancy of the lung. Further disclosed are methods for diagnosing an autotaxin-related disorder as well as kits for performing the methods of the invention.