Figure 1. Schematic figure of the suggested hypothetical mechanism of anti-leukemia immunity in patients who have successfully discontinued TKI or IFN-α treatment.

Antigen presenting cells (APCs) secrete cytokines which together with the leukemia cell induced activation could induce NK cell proliferation. Repeated stimulus may shift NK cells towards more mature, adaptive phenotype. NK cells could execute either direct killing of the leukemic cells or alternatively drive T cells to a more effective leukemia targeting state.