Constant patrol
NK cells circulate through tissues and check cells for “self vs non-self” in real time, without prior set-up.
Cellular medicine · immunity
NK therapy — supporting natural immunity
NK cells are one of the first lines of your innate immune defence. In this programme they are isolated from your own blood, activated in the laboratory and returned by infusion. Because the cells are your own, immunological risks are minimal. Whether the therapy is appropriate in your case is decided by a physician after diagnostics.
- Outpatient, no hospitalisation
- 1–2 procedures · 2–4 weeks apart
- Your own cells
- A few days on Hainan
About the method
What is NK therapy
Your immune system has a rapid-response unit — NK cells, the “natural killers.” They patrol the body around the clock and are among the first to flag cells that have changed, been damaged or aged. Most immune cells need “training” for a specific threat; NK cells don't — they act at once.
The procedure itself is simple. A small amount of venous blood is taken. In the lab your NK cells are isolated, activated and expanded, then returned by infusion after 10–14 days.
Throughout, the cells remain your own, so rejection and immune conflicts are practically absent. The programme is outpatient, without hospitalisation, in clinics of the Boao Lecheng cluster.
There is solid science behind the method. The role of immune surveillance and the clearance of senescent cells has been discussed in the literature, including in Nature (2016). The NK-expansion technology here is developed together with the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC); the team includes a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the protocol is patented and recognised at a national biomedical competition.
All of this speaks to the level of the approach, but does not promise you a specific result. Whether the therapy is needed, and what to expect, is determined by a physician after diagnostics.
How it works
The principle
Direct action
Through special proteins (perforin and granzyme) they act precisely on damaged, aged and altered cells.
Antibody guidance (ADCC)
They find cells already “tagged” by antibodies and act precisely on them — a mechanism known as ADCC.
Engaging the whole system
They release signalling molecules (cytokines) that wake up and engage other parts of the immune defence.
Scientific basis
Origin and scientific basis
Facts about the method's origin, standards and quality control — what trust is built on. This is not a promise of a result: a physician decides whether it's right for you.
- Cells of innate immunity
NK (“natural killers”) are innate-immune cells discovered in the 1970s; one of the actively studied areas of modern immunology.
- GMP-standard preparation
Cells are isolated and prepared in the hospital's cell-engineering centre under GMP protocols, with control of viability and activity.
- Scientific expertise of the cluster
The centre's research team includes specialists in cellular and gene technologies, among them graduates of USTC.
The team
Specialist physicians for this area
This area in the cluster is led by specialist physicians with years of experience and academic credentials. They prescribe and deliver the treatment — MedBridge coordinates your route.
Luo ZhihuaInternal medicine · cellular technologiesA graduate of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). Internal medicine, 10+ years in practice; experience with stem cells, NK and CIK. Named “Best Doctor” of the Boao Lecheng zone (2019).
Who it's for
This may be relevant to you
Most people who consider this method recognise themselves in situations like these. It's not a prompt for self-treatment — whether it fits your case is decided by a physician after consultation and diagnostics.
- Living at full tilt
Travel, workload and chronic lack of sleep — and your “battery” hasn't recharged to full in a while.
- You act early
You don't wait until something forces your hand: you work from your test data and act ahead of time.
- You see it in your labs
An immunogram showed reduced NK-cell activity and you want to take it seriously.
- Recovering after a viral load
You want to regain tone and support immunity — under a physician's supervision.
- Preparing the body for more
You're planning an anti-age or recovery programme that logically starts with immunity.
Why patients consider it
Why patients consider this method
These are reasons for interest in the method, not a promise of outcome: the physician sets the final decision and realistic expectations.
- Your own biology
Your own NK cells are used, not donor material: personal, with minimal immunological risk.
- Access you can rarely get at home
Boao Lecheng is a regulated State-Council innovation zone with access to cellular technologies not yet available in most countries.
- World-class technology
A patented protocol (CD56+ purity over 90%), a scientific base at the level of USTC, publications in Nature, GMP/ISO standards.
- Control and privacy
A personal coordinator and interpreter; outpatient, confidential, 24/7 support.
Indications
When it may be considered
May be considered by a physician, in particular for the states below. This is not a prompt for self-treatment — a specialist decides after diagnostics.
- Low tone and frequent colds
- States after viral infections
- Reduced NK-cell activity on an immunogram
- High load, chronic stress, disrupted sleep
- Preparation for recovery and anti-age programmes — by indication
Safety
Standards and quality control
The approach is built around patient safety and verifiable quality.
- Patented expansion technology: serum- and feeder-free medium
- CD56+ population purity over 90%, ~14-day culture
- Your own cells — minimal rejection risk
- Certified clinics of the Boao Lecheng cluster, GMP / ISO standards
Process
How it goes
- 1Immune diagnostics
Blood tests, inflammation markers, viral panels, immunogram.
- 2Blood draw
20–50 ml of the patient's venous blood.
- 3Lab activation
10–14 days; control of purity, viability and cell activity.
- 4Intravenous infusion
About 60 minutes, without hospitalisation.
- 5Follow-up
Check-up in 2–4 weeks.
A course is usually 1–2 procedures, 2–4 weeks apart. Your own cells are used, which reduces rejection risk. Response and dynamics are individual; the physician discusses realistic expectations at the consultation.
Outcomes
What to expect, and how progress is assessed
- Not instant
Support for immune function develops gradually; this is not a “cold pill for today.”
- Guided by data
Dynamics are assessed by wellbeing and follow-up tests, including the immunogram — before and after the course.
- What it targets
Support of natural immune surveillance and tone — not a replacement for vaccination, treatment of infections or standard care.
- Honest expectations
Response is individual; the method does not guarantee a specific result. The physician discusses realistic expectations at consultation.
Safety
Risks, tolerability and contraindications
Openness about safety is part of a responsible approach.
- Your own cells
Your venous blood is used, not donor material — immunological risks are minimal.
- Quality control
Multi-stage checks of purity (CD56+ over 90%), viability and activity; serum- and feeder-free medium.
- Tolerability
The most common reaction is fatigue or a mild temperature rise on infusion day, usually brief. Individual tolerability is assessed by the physician.
- When it isn't performed
Contraindications usually considered include active infection, uncontrolled oncological and autoimmune processes, pregnancy and others. The physician decides after diagnostics.
Cost
Indicative cost
Approx. ¥198,000 (≈ $27,500)
The exact cost is determined only after diagnostics — the programme is tailored individually, by indication. Payment is made directly to the cluster's clinic, by official invoice. All prices →
Diagnostics — the required first step
Every programme begins with a consultation and an accurate diagnosis (check-up). Treatment does not start without assessing indications and contraindications.
Questions
FAQ — NK therapy
Yes. Every programme begins with a consultation and diagnostics (check-up). No therapy starts without an accurate diagnosis and assessment of contraindications — that is the basis of safety.
From the patient's own venous blood (20–50 ml). The cells are isolated, activated and expanded in the lab, then returned by infusion.
Your own cells are used, with multi-stage quality control. The most common reaction is fatigue on infusion day. Contraindications are assessed by the physician; the method does not guarantee a result.
Usually 1–2 procedures, 2–4 weeks apart. The exact schedule is set by the physician after diagnostics.
The active part of the visit is usually a few days: consultation, diagnostics, blood draw and infusion. Part of the preparation and follow-up can be remote; exact timing is agreed in advance.
Be sure to mention this at the consultation: the physician takes comorbidities and medication into account when assessing indications and contraindications.
The programme and the number of procedures. See the Pricing page for a guide; the exact estimate is formed after diagnostics and paid directly to the clinic.
Discuss the programme with a coordinator
Tell us your situation and medical goal — we'll advise which documents help prepare a preliminary review and what the next steps could be.