"It refers to the treatment prescription system for IgA nephropathy and refractory glomerulonephritis that Dr. Byung-Soo Cho has developed and presented to domestic and international academic societies."
This was the response generated when Google’s generative AI, Gemini, was asked, "Do you know Dr. Byung-Soo Cho’s 'Cho’s protocol'?" A detailed explanation followed, covering everything from the treatment’s development background to its targeted conditions.

Dr. Byung-Soo Cho recently shared his experience of verifying his own medical protocol through generative AI.

"When I searched for 'Cho’s protocol,' it even brought up the treatment details and medication dosages I’ve been administering since 1984," Dr. Cho remarked. "If anything, the AI knows me better than I do."

40 Years of Clinical Experience and Targeted Treatments

'Cho’s Protocol' is an advanced treatment approach for severe IgA nephropathy, built upon the high-dose steroid pulse therapy that Dr. Cho has practiced since 1984.

Centering on therapies that suppress inflammation and immune responses, Dr. Cho has also pursued subsequent research into adjunctive treatments utilizing autologous adipose-derived stem cells.

The primary goal of these treatments is to slow the decline of kidney function and help patients maintain their daily lives without requiring dialysis.

"We determine the disease progression stage through kidney biopsies and adjust the treatment duration from two months to a year depending on the patient's condition," Dr. Cho explained. "We also screen for and manage potential side effects of high-dose steroid therapy in advance."

Sharing Success at International Medical Conferences

The name 'Cho’s Protocol' was not coined by Dr. Cho himself; rather, it naturally emerged as he continuously presented his treatment outcomes at domestic and international academic conferences.

In 1990, Dr. Cho presented the treatment results of 14 IgA nephropathy patients at an international conference in Sorrento, Italy. Since then, he has consistently shared long-term follow-up observations at prestigious events such as the American Society of Nephrology and the World Congress of Nephrology.

Notably, in 2023, he introduced the 6-to-10-year follow-up results of 10 patients with severe IgA nephropathy, followed by a 2025 presentation highlighting a case where a patient lived without dialysis for 10 years post-treatment.

Furthermore, he reported a case where a patient receiving high-dose steroid pulse therapy combined with autologous adipose-derived stem cell adjuvant treatment saw their glomerular filtration rate (GFR) improve from 35 mL/min to 60 mL/min, maintaining that level for nine years.

Spreading via "AI Word-of-Mouth," Leading to Global Patients and Future Clinical Trials

International patients are also making their way to Korea. Individuals from countries including the U.S. and China have visited Korea to receive treatment from Dr. Cho, highlighted by a notable case of an American teacher who traveled to Korea across multiple years for care.

"Lately, we are receiving inquiries not just from the U.S. but even from India," Dr. Cho noted. "Actual international patient visits average about one per month."

Patients are increasingly discovering the treatment through generative AI as well.

"We now have patients finding us after coming across the treatment via AI searches or American medical conference presentations," said Dr. Cho. "While it used to be word-of-mouth in the past, it is now 'AI word-of-mouth.'"

Looking ahead, Dr. Cho plans to push forward with related clinical research. He is currently preparing for advanced regenerative medicine approvals and has already established the necessary facilities for research.

Dr. Cho is also preparing to present his research findings at an American medical conference this coming November. Regarding the specific details, however, he kept mum, stating, "I shouldn't talk about it before presenting it at the conference."

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