Alterations in IL-32, IL-39, and LDH Serum Levels in Iraqi Patients with Acute Leukemia: A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Newly diagnosed and Previously Treated Cohorts

Noor S. Al-Zubaidi; Rasha M. Alhumairi

doi:10.31557/APJCC.2026.11.4.545

Authors

Noor S. Al-Zubaidi Department of Biology, Collage of Science for Woman, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
Rasha M. Alhumairi Department of Biology, Collage of Science for Woman, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5794-9044

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCC.2026.11.4.545

Keywords:

Acute Leukemia, Interleukin-32(IL-32), Interleukin-39(IL-39), Lactate Dehydrogenase(LDH), Chemotherapy.

Abstract

Introduction: Acute leukemia (AL), are marked by abnormal differentiation and uncontrolled proliferation of cancerous hematopoietic stem cells. These malignant cells build up in the bone marrow, inhibiting the development and maturation of healthy blood cells. Acute leukemia is classified into two main types: acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. This study aimed to evaluate IL-32, IL-39, and LDH, along with selected hematological parameters, in Iraqi patients with AL before and after treatment.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, serum levels of IL-32 and IL-39 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 120 patients from the Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Center in Baghdad and 60 healthy controls. The patients group was diagnosed by a hematologist and composed 60 individuals with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 60 with acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).

Results: Age of patients between 5-85 years. Median age of ALL was 19.5 years while 46.5 years for AML. There was no meaningful statistical variation in gender distribution between study group. Significantly elevated serum levels of IL-39 of ALL and AML pre-treatment (84.89±13.96, 137.25±21.66 pg/ml respectively) when compared to post-treatment (87.58±12.00, 114.02±21.51 pg/mL respectively), while the levels of IL-32 were no statistically significant difference pre and post treatment in ALL (74.82±18.81, 79.688±21.23 pg/mL respectively), but in AML IL-39 was higher in pre-treatment patients (106.11±22.01 pg/mL) compared to post treatment (61.25±11.73 pg/mL). LDH levels were statically significant in ALL and AML pre and post treatment (P≤0.01).

Conclusions: Elevated serum levels of IL-32 (particularly in AML) and IL-39 (in both AML and ALL pre-treatment) suggest potential involvement in acute leukemia biology. Changes in IL-39 after chemotherapy in AML warrant further investigation as exploratory markers of treatment response.