How much does targeted therapy cost, based on 2026 figures?

The total cost of targeted therapy varies widely depending on which drug is used and how many treatment cycles are needed, so it's not possible to quote a single figure — the final amount is confirmed through the hospital's estimate. That said, the remote review (pre-arrival review) fee and payment method are fixed, so we can explain those in advance.

Key Summary

• The remote review (pre-arrival review) fee is KRW 1,000,000, and if you go on to sign a treatment contract after the remote review, this amount is deducted from your treatment costs.
• The total cost of targeted therapy itself varies greatly depending on the type of drug and number of cycles, so no fixed amount is listed in this site note — the final figure is confirmed through the hospital's estimate.
• The estimate separately itemizes the expected cost of the first cycle (including tests) and the expected cost of subsequent cycles.
• The choice of drug is based on biomarkers identified in tissue or blood samples (for lung cancer: EGFR, ALK, ROS1; for gastric cancer: HER2, CLDN18.2; for breast cancer: HER2, hormone receptors; for colorectal cancer: RAS, BRAF, etc.), and an accurate estimate requires these test results.
• Many patients plan to stay in Korea for 2–3 weeks to cover both testing and the first treatment cycle.

Why can't the cost of targeted therapy be given as a single number?

Targeted therapy drugs come in various forms — oral inhibitor pills, intravenous antibody injections, and antibody-drug conjugates that attach an anticancer agent to an antibody — and each drug has a different dosing interval and number of cycles. Oral drugs are taken daily, typically with follow-up visits and tests every 1–2 months, while injectable drugs are administered every 2–3 weeks. Treatment response is usually assessed by CT scan every 2–3 months, and as a rule, treatment continues for as long as the drug remains effective, meaning the total number of cycles differs from patient to patient. For this reason, the total cost can only be confirmed through the hospital's estimate, and no specific amount is presented at the general informational level of this note.

What is the process for confirming costs?

• Step 1 — Submit available records, including the pathology report, biomarker/genetic test results (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, HER2, RAS, BRAF, CLDN18.2, MSI/MMR, NGS, etc.), tissue slides or paraffin blocks, imaging studies, and medication history.
• Step 2 — Pay the remote review (pre-arrival review) fee of KRW 1,000,000, after which you will receive a written opinion outlining whether treatment is feasible in this field and a general treatment direction.
• Step 3 — If biomarker test results are insufficient or outdated, tissue slides can be sent for testing in Korea, or testing can be conducted after arrival.
• Step 4 — After consultation and testing at the hospital, an estimate is issued that separates the expected cost of the first cycle from that of subsequent cycles.
• Step 5 — Once you sign a treatment contract, the KRW 1,000,000 previously paid for the remote review is deducted from your treatment costs.

FAQ — If I need to repeat biomarker testing, will it cost more?

If your existing test results are recent and cover enough markers, they can be used as-is, reducing additional costs. If results are missing, outdated, or lack necessary markers (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, HER2, RAS, BRAF, CLDN18.2, MSI/MMR, NGS, etc.), tissue slides will need to be sent for testing in Korea, or testing will be done after arrival — in which case the testing cost is included in the overall estimate. Which scenario applies to you will be clarified during the remote review stage.

FAQ — Can I continue the same drug treatment after returning to my home country?

In some cases, oral targeted therapy drugs can be prescribed along with a supply to take home for a certain period, while injectable drugs require transferring the prescription plan to a local hospital. However, if the drug is not approved or available locally, treatment may be interrupted — so during the remote review stage, we first check whether the drug can be continued after you return home, and include this finding in the written opinion. This is an important consideration not only for cost planning but also for treatment continuity.

Sources and Notes

• This content was prepared based on targeted therapy notes from the National Cancer Center Korea, NCCN patient guidelines, and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute.
• This content is provided for general medical information purposes only; actual diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual condition. Please consult with medical professionals to determine accurate diagnosis and treatment.