Treatment Overview
The Killer Cell Activity Test—often called the Natural Killer (NK) Cell Test—is an advanced immunologic diagnostic procedure used to assess the role of the immune system in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Natural Killer cells are a type of white blood cell essential for early pregnancy immune regulation. However, when these cells become overactive or overly abundant, they can mistakenly attack the embryo or disrupt implantation, leading to miscarriage or failed IVF cycles.
In Korea, this test is part of specialized reproductive immunology panels performed in top fertility centers. Korean laboratories utilize flow cytometry, ELISA-based cytokine profiling, and functional cytotoxicity assays to measure both the number and activity of NK cells, providing a detailed understanding of immune balance during early pregnancy.
Purpose & Benefits
The primary purpose of the NK Cell Activity Test is to determine whether abnormal immune function is contributing to pregnancy loss or implantation failure.
Key benefits include:
- Identifies overactive or elevated NK cells that can attack embryonic or placental tissue.
- Detects imbalanced cytokine production (e.g., excessive Th1 inflammatory response).
- Enables personalized immune-modulating treatments such as corticosteroids, IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin), or intralipid therapy.
- Helps improve implantation and pregnancy success rates in women with RPL or IVF failure.
- Provides essential data for customizing fertility treatment protocols to each patient’s immune profile.
Korean fertility clinics are renowned for their integration of immune diagnostics with fertility care, allowing for highly tailored reproductive medicine strategies.
Ideal Candidates
The NK Cell Activity Test is recommended for:
- Women with two or more consecutive miscarriages with no clear cause.
- Patients with failed IVF or embryo implantation despite high-quality embryos.
- Women with autoimmune diseases or elevated inflammatory markers.
- Couples experiencing unexplained infertility or failed donor embryo transfers.
- Patients with a family history of autoimmune disorders.
- Women with endometrial or immune-related abnormalities detected in other tests.
This test is especially valuable when other RPL evaluations (hormonal, anatomical, and genetic) show normal results.
Possible Risks & Complications
The NK Cell Activity Test is non-invasive and low-risk, requiring only a blood draw. Potential minor issues include:
- Mild bruising or discomfort at the blood collection site.
- Temporary lightheadedness after blood draw.
- Rare need for repeat testing if samples are inadequate.
- Emotional stress if abnormal immune activity is detected.
Korean laboratories use highly standardized procedures and advanced sample handling systems to ensure accurate, consistent, and safe testing.
Techniques & Tests Used
Korean reproductive immunology labs employ several precise and standardized techniques to assess NK cell count and activity:
- Flow Cytometry Analysis:
Measures the percentage of NK cells (CD56+, CD16+) in peripheral blood or endometrial samples and evaluates their activation state. - Cytotoxicity Assay (Functional NK Test):
Determines how strongly NK cells attack target cells—an indicator of their immune aggressiveness. - Cytokine Profiling (Th1/Th2 Ratio):
Measures inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IFN-γ (Th1) vs. IL-10 (Th2) to assess immune balance. - Endometrial NK Cell Quantification:
Some Korean centers analyze uterine tissue obtained via biopsy to evaluate NK cell density directly within the endometrium. - AI-Enhanced Data Analysis:
Certain top Korean fertility centers use AI-based pattern analysis to correlate immune findings with clinical outcomes for more individualized treatment planning.
Korean labs maintain international-level accreditation, using cutting-edge immunologic technology for reliable results.
Recovery & Aftercare
No physical recovery is needed since the test is based on a blood sample. Aftercare involves interpretation and management of results:
- Consultation with an immunologist or fertility specialist to review findings.
- If NK cell activity is high, therapies may include:
- Low-dose corticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone) to suppress excessive immune activity.
- Intralipid infusion therapy to stabilize immune response.
- IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) therapy for immune regulation.
- Lifestyle and nutritional interventions to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Regular follow-up testing to track immune response during fertility treatment or early pregnancy.
Korean fertility centers offer structured aftercare plans, combining medical and holistic approaches to optimize uterine immune balance before conception.
Results & Longevity
- The test results report the percentage of NK cells and their cytotoxic activity level (often expressed as a percentage or relative index).
- High NK activity or elevated Th1/Th2 ratios indicate increased immune aggression, often linked to implantation failure or miscarriage.
- Results guide targeted therapy that can normalize immune function before and during pregnancy.
- Once regulated, immune balance can remain stable with proper maintenance and medical management.
- Many women see improved implantation and live birth rates after customized immunologic treatment based on NK cell testing.
Korean fertility centers report high success rates in women treated according to their NK test results, often achieving pregnancies that previously failed to progress.
Treatment Process in Korea
A typical NK Cell Activity Test and treatment workflow in Korea includes:
- Initial Consultation: Review of miscarriage or IVF history and previous immune findings.
- Blood Collection: Peripheral blood sample drawn and processed under sterile, temperature-controlled conditions.
- Laboratory Analysis: Flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays performed to evaluate NK cell count and function.
- Result Review: Specialist explains test results and immune status.
- Treatment Planning: Personalized protocol designed—may include immunotherapy, nutritional supplements, or hormonal support.
- Follow-Up Testing: Regular monitoring to assess therapy effectiveness and ensure balanced immune response before embryo transfer or conception.
Why Korea is a Top Destination:
- Advanced reproductive immunology technology with high sensitivity and accuracy.
- Collaboration between fertility specialists, immunologists, and genetic experts.
- Use of AI-assisted immune data analysis for individualized fertility planning.
- Integration of IVF, immunotherapy, and uterine health programs in one clinical system.
- High success rates and globally competitive costs for advanced reproductive diagnostics.
Korean fertility medicine is globally respected for its innovative approach to immunologic infertility and miscarriage prevention.
Cost Range
The cost of a Killer Cell Activity Test in Korea varies depending on whether it includes additional immune assays:
- Basic NK Cell Count (Flow Cytometry): USD 200 – 400
- Full NK Cell Activity Panel (Cytotoxicity + Cytokine Profiling): USD 500 – 900
- Comprehensive Reproductive Immunology Package (NK, Th1/Th2, Antibody Panels): USD 1,000 – 1,800
- Follow-Up Test: USD 150 – 300
These tests are often part of advanced RPL diagnostic bundles, which include infectious, hormonal, and genetic assessments.
Popular Clinics
Leading Korean fertility and women’s hospitals performing NK cell testing and immunologic RPL evaluation include:
- CHA Fertility Center (Seoul): Renowned for reproductive immunology and immune therapy for RPL.
- Maria Fertility Hospital: Offers NK cell assays with integrated immune and hormonal profiling.
- MizMedi Women’s Hospital: Specializes in immunologic fertility diagnostics and miscarriage prevention.
- GynART Reproductive Center: Provides tailored immune therapy based on NK cell and cytokine results.
- Seoul National University Hospital: A major academic center combining immunology and reproductive medicine research.
