Relationship between Interleukin 21 and Activation of Natural Killer cells in Iraqi patients with CML

Background: CML is a persistent hematological malignancy, distinguished by aberrant white blood cell growth. It is caused by a genetic abnormality that leads to the uncontrolled production of a specific type of white blood cell called a chronic myeloid leukemia cell. Preclinical findings reveal that IL-15 and IL-21 have the potential capacity to enhance the activity of NK cells, which are important for killing cancer cells. Additionally, IL-21 may help to regulate the immune response in CML, potentially reducing the risk of complications associated with the disease.Materials and Methods: Sixty-five Iraqi patients with CML were recruited from the Hematology Center in Baghdad. The participants who were on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and those who had just received a diagnosis were split into two groups. There was also a control group of twenty-five healthy people. The study. The IL-21 estimation by Sandwich ELISA and NK subsets detection by Flowcytometry. Results: The study observed significant changes in natural killer cell subsets between CML patients and healthy controls with differences based on treatment status. IL-21 level showed no significant variation, suggesting it may not play a key role in CML. While some NK cells subsets correlated with IL-21, the overall link with CD56 +CD 16 + NK cells was not statistically significant.