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Hwajung Sung

Korea University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Hwajung Sung's research lab focuses on translational and regenerative medicine, with a strong emphasis on hematological malignancies such as NK/T cell lymphoma and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), as well as the biology and application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The lab investigates novel therapeutic strategies, prognostic biomarkers, and the role of microenvironmental support systems—particularly human-derived feeder cells—in maintaining stem cell pluripotency and long-term culture. A key direction involves exploring exosomes and inflammatory markers as diagnostic and prognostic tools in cancer. The lab also compares MSCs from different developmental sources, such as placenta and bone marrow, to identify those with superior stemness and regenerative potential.

NK/T cell lymphomamesenchymal stem cellsembryonic stem cellsexosomesprognostic biomarkers

Research Overview

Papers
46
Total Citations
300
Papers (5y)
11
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
11total
2019
2020
2022
2023
2025
Citations per year (5y)
34total
20192020202220232025

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|44 citations·2006
Treatment outcome of front-line systemic chemotherapy for localized extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma in nasal and upper aerodigestive tract
Seok Jin Kim, Byung Soo Kim, Chul Won Choi, Hee Yun Seo, Hye Ryoung Seol, Hwa Jung Sung, In Sun Kim, Chul Yong Kim, Kwang‐Yoon Jung, Jun Suk Kim
SJR Q2Leukemia & lymphoma/Leukemia and lymphoma

We analysed the treatment outcome of localized extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma initially treated with CEOP-B chemotherapy based on the primary site of involvement (nasal cavity vs. upper aerodigestive tract) and treatment modality (chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Forty-three patients newly diagnosed as extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma were analysed: 29 cases from nasal cavity/nasopharynx and 14 from upper aerodigestive tract. Twenty-six patients were treated with chemotherapy

Pathology and Forensic MedicineMedicine
2
Article|31 citations·2018
The Potential of Exosomes Derived from Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia Cells as a Biomarker
Ka‐Won Kang, Jik-han Jung, Woojune Hur, Jaena Park, Hyunku Shin, Byeong Hyeon Choi, Hyesun Jeong, Dae Sik Kim, Eun Sang Yu, Se Ryeon Lee, Hwa Jung Sung, Seok Jin Kim
SJR Q2Anticancer ResearchOA

CML-derived exosomes could act as novel targets for the detection of the BCR-ABL transcript.

HematologyMedicine
3
Article|30 citations·2011
Human Feeder Cells Can Support the Undifferentiated Growth of Human and Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using Their Own Basic Fibroblast Growth Factors
Yong Park, Ji Hea Kim, Seung Jin Lee, In Young Choi, Seh Jong Park, Se Ryeon Lee, Hwa Jung Sung, Young Do Yoo, Dong Ho Geum, Chul Won Choi, Sun Haeng Kim, Byung‐Soo Kim
SJR Q2Stem Cells and Development

In the culture system using human feeder cells, the mechanism through which these cells support undifferentiated growth of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) has not been well investigated. Here, we explored the mechanisms of 3 kinds of human feeder cells, including human placental cells from the chorionic plate, human bone marrow stromal cells, and human foreskin fibroblasts. First, we determined that undifferentiated growth of 2 kinds each of human (H1 and HSF6) and mouse (D3 and CE3) ESCs was possib

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
4
Article|27 citations·2010
Stemness Evaluation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Placentas According to Developmental Stage: Comparison to Those from Adult Bone Marrow
성화정, 홍순철, 유지현, 오지현, 신혜진, 최인영, 안기훈, 김선행, 박용, 김병수
Journal of Korean Medical Science

This study was done to evaluate the stemness of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs)derived from placenta according to the development stage and to compare the results to those from adult bone marrow (BM). Based on the source of hMSCs, three groups were defined: group I included term placentas, group II included first-trimester placentas, and group III included adult BM samples. The stemness was evaluated by the proliferation capacity, immunophenotypic expression, mesoderm differentiation, expre

5
Article|24 citations·2007
Human Placenta-Derived Feeders Support Prolonged Undifferentiated Propagation of a Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line, SNUhES3: Comparison with Human Bone Marrow-Derived Feeders
Seok Jin Kim, Chang Hee Song, Hwa Jung Sung, Young Do Yoo, Dong Ho Geum, Sun Hwa Park, Ji Hyun Yoo, Jee Hyun Oh, Hye Jin Shin, Sun Haeng Kim, Jun Suk Kim, Byung‐Soo Kim
SJR Q2Stem Cells and Development

Co-culture of human embryonic stem (ES) cells on mouse fibroblast feeders is the commonly used method for in vitro expansion of human ES cells in an undifferentiated state. However, it has potential risks of pathogen transmission from animals; thus, human cell-derived feeders have been employed to minimize this problem. In this study, we compared human placenta-derived feeders with bone marrow to demonstrate its effectiveness as feeders for in vitro long-term culture of human ES cells. We cultur

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
6
Article|18 citations·2015
Comparison of consolidation strategies in acute myeloid leukemia: high-dose cytarabine alone versus intermediate-dose cytarabine combined with anthracyclines
Dae Sik Kim, Ka‐Won Kang, Se Ryeon Lee, Yong Park, Hwa Jung Sung, Seok Jin Kim, Chul Won Choi, Byung Soo Kim
SJR Q2Annals of Hematology
HematologyMedicine
7
Article|18 citations·2017
Myeloma prognostic index at diagnosis might be a prognostic marker in patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma
김대식, 유은상, 강가원, 이세련, 박용, 성화정, 최철원, 김병수

Background/Aims: The aims of this study were to identify the value of inflammatory markers as pretreatment prognostic factors for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to estimate the value of a prognostic index including these markers at diagnosis. Methods: A total of 273 newly diagnosed MM patients undergoing active treatment were analyzed in this study. The prognostic values for survival of the pretreatment inflammatory markers were investigated. A myeloma prognostic index (MPI) was derived

8
Article|17 citations·2020
Immature platelet fraction based diagnostic predictive scoring model for immune thrombocytopenia
Min Ji Jeon, Eun Sang Yu, Ka‐Won Kang, Byung‐Hyun Lee, Yong Park, Se Ryeon Lee, Hwa Jung Sung, Soo Yong Yoon, Chul Won Choi, Byung Soo Kim, Dae Sik Kim
SJR Q2The Korean Journal of Internal MedicineOA

IPF could be a useful parameter to distinguish ITP from other causes of thrombocytopenia. We developed the predictive scoring model. This model could predict ITP with high probability.

HematologyMedicine
9
Article|17 citations·2017
Clinicopathological characteristics of extremely young Korean multiple myeloma patients: therapeutic implications
Junghoon Shin, Young‐Il Koh, Jeonghwan Youk, Miso Kim, Byung Soo Kim, Chul Won Choi, Hwa Jung Sung, Yong Park, Sung‐Soo Yoon, Inho Kim
SJR Q2The Korean Journal of Internal MedicineOA

In our study, MM patients aged 40 years or younger at diagnosis showed no superior survival compared to those of the moderately elderly patients based on historical data.

HematologyMedicine
10
Article|11 citations·2020
The role of platelet function analyzer-200 in predicting perioperative bleeding risk
Eun Sang Yu, Min Ji Jeon, Ka‐Won Kang, Byung-Hyun Lee, Eun Joo Kang, Yong Park, Se Ryeon Lee, Hwa Jung Sung, Chul Won Choi, Byung Soo Kim, Dae Sik Kim
SJR Q2The Korean Journal of Internal MedicineOA

Preoperative PFA-200 test may be helpful in predicting the risk of perioperative bleeding. However, its results should be carefully interpreted because they are affected by several factors.

Cardiology and Cardiovascular MedicineMedicine
11
Article|9 citations·2007
Persistent Anemia in a Patient with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: Pure Red Cell Aplasia Associated with Latent Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Bone Marrow
Hwa Jung Sung, Seok Jin Kim, Ji-Hye Lee, Go‐Eun Lee, Kyung‐A Lee, Chul Won Choi, Byung Soo Kim, Jun Suk Kim
SJR Q2Journal of Korean Medical ScienceOA

We report a case of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), which was initially suspected as a result of bone marrow involvement of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Persistent anemia without an obvious cause was observed in a 47-yr-old man diagnosed with relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The bone marrow study showed only erythroid hypoplasia without the evidence of bone marrow involvement with lymphoma cells, thus PRCA was suggested. However, parvovirus infection was excluded as a potential cause of P

Infectious DiseasesMedicine
12
Article|9 citations·2012
A case of paraneoplastic vasculitic neuropathy associated with gastric cancer
Hyun Soo Choi, Dong Hwee Kim, Seung Nam Yang, Hwa Jung Sung, Seong Jae Choi
SJR Q2Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
NeurologyMedicine
13
letter|8 citations·2007
Hypereosinophilia in biphenotypic (B-cell/T-cell) acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Sook Young Bae, Soo-Young Yoon, Ji Hoon Huh, Hwa Jung Sung, In Keun Choi
SJR Q2Leukemia & lymphoma/Leukemia and lymphoma

The association of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and symptomatic eosinophilia is rare and only a few cases have been reported [1-5]. Biphenotypic acute leukaemias are also uncommon, and genera...

RheumatologyMedicine
14
Article|5 citations·2010
Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with breast diffuse large B cell lymphoma; Consortium for Improving Survival of Lymphoma (CISL) study
Ho‐Young Yhim, Hye Jin Kang, Yoon Hee Choi, Seok Jin Kim, Won Seog Kim, Yee Soo Chae, Jin Seok Kim, Chul Won Choi, Sung Yong Oh, Hyeon Seok Eom, Jeong‐a Kim, Jae Hoon Lee

The breast is a rare extranodal site of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and primary breast lymphoma (PBL) has been arbitrarily defined as disease localized to one or both breasts with or without regional lymph nodes involvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and breast involvement, and to find the criteria of PBL reflecting the outcome and prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed data from 68 patients, newly diagnosed with

Cancer ResearchBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
15
Article|5 citations·2007
Persistent Anemia in a Patient with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma:Pure Red Cell Aplasia Associated with Latent Epstein-Barr VirusInfection in Bone Marrow
성화정, 김석진, Ji-Hye Lee, Goeun Lee, Kyung A Lee, 최철원, Byung Soo Kim, Jun Suk Kim

We report a case of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), which was initially suspected as a result of bone marrow involvement of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Persistent anemia without an obvious cause was observed in a 47-yr-old man diagnosed with relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The bone marrow study showed only erythroid hypoplasia without the evidence of bone marrow involvement with lymphoma cells, thus PRCA was suggested. However, parvovirus infection was excluded as a potential cause of P

Research Areas

HematologyMolecular BiologyRheumatologyPulmonary and Respiratory MedicineEpidemiologyOncology

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