How Much Does Immunotherapy Cost in 2026?

There is no fixed total cost for immunotherapy — it's finalized through a hospital estimate based on the drug used and number of cycles. That said, the remote review (pre-arrival review) fee of KRW 1,000,000 is a fixed amount set by the site, and if you go on to contract for treatment, this amount is deducted from your medical bill.

Key Takeaways

• The total cost of immunotherapy is not listed as a fixed figure — it varies by drug and number of cycles, and is finalized through a hospital estimate.
• The remote review (pre-arrival review) fee is KRW 1,000,000. If you proceed to contract for treatment after the remote review, this amount is deducted from your medical bill.
• The estimate separates the projected cost of the first cycle (including tests) from the projected cost of subsequent cycles.
• Stay duration, including tests and the first cycle, is often planned for 2–3 weeks.
• Depending on the drug, immunotherapy is administered at 2-week, 3-week, or 6-week intervals, and if effective, treatment commonly continues for anywhere from several months up to 2 years.

Why can't the cost of immunotherapy be fixed in advance?

• Immunotherapy costs vary significantly depending on the type of drug administered, the dosing interval (2, 3, or 6 weeks), and the number of cycles received, so a specific fixed amount is not provided in advance.
• Instead, biomarker testing — such as PD-L1 expression, MSI-High or MMR deficiency, and tumor mutational burden — is performed first to determine eligibility and treatment approach (monotherapy or combined with chemotherapy). The hospital then produces an estimate based on these results.
• The estimate is structured to separately show the cost of the first cycle (including tests) and the projected cost of subsequent cycles.

How does the process proceed from remote review to treatment, cost-wise?

• Step 1 — Prepare the pathology report, results of immunotherapy-related biomarker tests (PD-L1, MSI/MMR, etc.), tissue slides or paraffin blocks, CT scans from multiple time points (original DICOM files), and records related to autoimmune conditions or immunosuppression.
• Step 2 — This material is used for the remote review, which costs KRW 1,000,000.
• Step 3 — Based on the written opinion from the remote review, you'll be given a comparison of 3 eligible hospitals, and each hospital's estimate will itemize the costs of testing, the first cycle, and subsequent cycles.
• Step 4 — If you contract for treatment at the chosen hospital, the KRW 1,000,000 remote review fee paid earlier is deducted from your medical bill.
• Step 5 — The first administration is recommended to be done with hospitalization or a day of observation to monitor the response. Afterward, treatment continues with CT scans every 2–3 months to assess effectiveness.

FAQ — If I start treatment in Korea, how long is the stay?

Including tests and the first cycle, a stay of around 2–3 weeks is common. After the first cycle, patients may either return to Korea periodically to continue treatment, or have the treatment plan handed over to local medical staff to continue care locally. Which option is appropriate is confirmed during the review stage, depending on whether the drug is approved and available locally.

FAQ — Does everyone receive immunotherapy at the same cost?

No. Eligibility for immunotherapy and the treatment approach (monotherapy or combined with chemotherapy) depend on factors such as the degree of PD-L1 expression, MSI-High or MMR deficiency status, cancer type, stage, and overall condition. These factors determine the number of cycles and drugs used, so costs are calculated differently for each individual. Costs are never fixed in advance without biomarker testing.

Sources and Notes

• This article was written based on general information at the level of National Cancer Center Korea and NCCN patient guidelines, along with site-confirmed figures (remote review fee and deduction method).
• This content is provided for general medical information purposes. Diagnosis and treatment methods and outcomes may vary depending on individual condition. Accurate diagnosis and treatment should always be determined through consultation with medical staff.