Leukocyte signaling via, for example, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways, plays a key role in systemic inflammation in AP.7,8 Notably, representing the early phase of leukocyte activation, preceding, for example, cytokine production, the signaling pathways provide attractive candidates for monitoring the development of AP. This evidence concerns the gene STAT3 and alkaline phosphatase measurement.