The real timeline an international patient has to plan around
Quick answer
The pathway has five stages: send records and blood work for preliminary review, attend a consultation and repeat testing in Korea, provide the sample for GMP cell expansion, receive the scheduled intravenous infusions, then follow up on kidney markers at one, three and six months — all with nephrology input.
Stage one happens from Thailand: send recent labs — creatinine, eGFR, urine protein, albumin, electrolytes — plus the full medication list. The team assesses eligibility before you book flights, and you should have a clear answer at that point.
In Korea the labs are repeated, since assay methods differ between countries, along with infection, hepatitis and contraindication screening. The sample for cell expansion is then taken, and because culture takes weeks most patients travel in two trips.
Infusion itself is intravenous and not lengthy, but patients are observed afterwards for fever, chills, rash or blood pressure change. Protocols generally schedule several sessions rather than a single dose.
Back home, follow-up is the part most people skip. Book the scheduled blood and urine tests with your Thai nephrologist and keep every document from Korea so before-and-after comparisons actually mean something.
Infusions are typically outpatient with an observation period; patients with comorbidities may be watched longer.
Not usually — most patients fly home and return for the infusion appointments.
Never on your own. Only a physician decides, and only for specific drugs such as anticoagulants in some cases.
Very much so for informed consent and risk discussion; use a medical interpreter, not just a translation app.
You will not receive cells, which is normal in a properly run programme. Ask about the refund policy for that scenario in advance.
5 points • reviewed 2026-09-02
Reviewed and last updated: 2026-09-02
5 sources • every claim is traceable
https://www.ehlbio.co.kr
https://www.mfds.go.kr/eng/index.do
https://www.mohw.go.kr/eng/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
https://www.medicalkorea.or.kr/
Last updated: 2026-09-02 · This content is for information only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor before making treatment decisions.
Back to categories