TNF and alkaline phosphatase measurement: To verify that the elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines are a common phenomenon in AP patients, we collected 48-paired blood samples from pancreatic cancer patients (stage 0, control) and AP patients and measured the serum concentrations of six proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL6, IL8, IL15 and IL17) and three anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL4, IL10 and IL13).