Pharmacologically directed cell disposal: labeling damaged cells for phagocytosis as a strategy against acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is a common clinical condition, which lacks effective pharmacological treatment. The severity of the disease is determined by the extent of necrotic death of pancreatic acinar cells. This article discusses the idea of developing new pharmacological tools against acute pancreatitis by labeling necrotic pancreatic acinar with apoptotic “eat-me” signaling molecules. This approach could facilitate removal of dead material without activation of inflammatory response and thus would eliminate the main source of damage to the body during acute pancreatitis.