118). Furthermore, increased B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) levels were detected in patients with SAP. BAFF is a major cytokine that regulates B-cell survival, maturation and differentiation. BAFF acts as an acute-phase reactant and, like IL-6 or procalcitonin, can predict the severity of AP; these parameters were found to be significantly higher in patients who developed necrosis or who required intensive care hospitalization for more than 7 days (Ref. 119). Here, IL6 is linked to alkaline phosphatase measurement.