The research article entitled “Prephase Steroid Treatment before Remission Induction Chemotherapy in Patients with Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using Common Data Model-Based Real-World Data: A Retrospective Observational Study”¹, which was first-authored by the former CCADD graduate,Yoona Choi, and co-authored by the members of CCADD  has been cited in the lastest haematology guidelines on the diagnosis and managemet of tumour lysis syndrome² published by the British Society for Haematology. Moreover, the study was cited in a recent review article published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)³ detailing the epidemiology and pathophysiology of tumor lysis syndrome.

The British Society for Haematology produces up-to-date evidence-based guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of haematological disease, while The New England Journal of Medicine is one of the prominent journals of new medical knowledge and clinical best practicies worldwide (Impact Factor 78.5).

This recognition highlights the clinical significance of our study in advancing evidence-based practice for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. CCADD takes pride in producing research that informs medical decision-making, and will continue efforts to deliver impactful studies.

1_Choi Y, Kim BK, Won JH, Yoo JW, Choi W, Jung S, Kim JY, Choi IY, Chung NG, Lee JW, Choi JY, Kang HJ, Lee H. Prephase steroid treatment before remission induction chemotherapy in patients with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia using common data model-based real-world data: a retrospective observational study. Clin Epidemiol. 2024 Apr 22;16:293-304. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S454263. PMID:38681782; PMCID:PMC11049150.

2_Chan YLT, El-Sharkawi D, Shah P, Chanouzas D, O’Connor D, Marks SD, et al. British Society for Haematology updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of tumour lysis syndrome in adults and children with haematological malignancies: a focus on patient safety. Br J Haematol. 2025;00:1-11. doi:10.1111/bjh.70092.

3_Bociek RG, Lunning M. Tumor lysis syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2025 Sep 18;393(11):1104-1116. doi:10.1056/NEJMra2300923. PMID:40961427.

CCADD members attended the 2025 Spring Conference of the Korean Society of Medical Informatics (KOSMI), held from June 22 to 24 at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center. Under the theme “AI and Human Collaboration in the Age of Generative AI,” the conference brought together experts from medicine, engineering, law, and industry to discuss the latest developments and practical applications in medical informatics.

Key topics included strategies to automate workflows involving electronic medical records (EMRs) , such as methods using large language models (LLMs), strategies for utilizing MyData in healthcare, integration of genomic and spatial biology data for precision medicine, the potential of quantum computing in medicine, and AI-driven clinical prediction and decision support systems (CDSS).

In the keynote speech, Prof. Adrian Zai of UMass Chan Medical School delivered a presentation titled “Steering the Future of Medicine: Human-Centered AI in the Generative Age.” He emphasized the importance of moving beyond what AI can do, toward how its impact should be directed in clinical settings. He highlighted human-centered design, ethical oversight, and global collaboration as essential to ensuring AI truly supports care delivery.

Dr. Yoona Choi, a former member of CCADD and now a research professor at Seoul National University Hospital's Child Cancer and Rare Disease Project, presented her work on developing an LLM-based computable phenotype for pediatric lymphoma subtypes. The model leverages structured and unstructured EMR data—such as pathology reports and genetic test results—to improve classification accuracy based on real-world clinical data.

Prof. Howard Lee, Founding Director of CCADD and CEO of the digital health startup PMATCH, introduced PillTalk, a mobile app that allows patients to independently check drug–drug interactions using public data made available by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The app provides AI-powered, accessible information to help patients make safer medication decisions. Prof. Lee emphasized that public pharmaceutical datasets can be transformed into practical, patient-centered tools to enhance medication safety.

Through this conference, CCADD members were able to reflect on the essential role of interdisciplinary collaboration and responsible innovation in leveraging digital technologies to advance patient-centered care.

On May 15th, CCADD members gathered for a Teacher’s Day dinner and expressed their appreciation to Prof. Howard. The event brought together CCADD members, graduate students, and student researchers in a warm and collegial setting. Despite the rainy weather, CCADD alumni—Dr. Siun Kim, Dr. Yoona Choi, and JungHyun Won—added a special significance to the evening and the lasting bonds formed within the lab. 

During the dinner, attendees shared updates on their research, academic experiences, and personal reflections. The most memorable moment of the evening was when the graduate students and CCADD members presented Prof. Howard with handwritten letters expressing appreciation and respect for Prof. Howard’s guidance. The messages conveyed sincere appreciation for Prof. Howard’s continued support. CCADD members’ letter included a quote that captured the spirit of Teacher's Day: “A good teacher is like a candle—it consumes itself to light the way for others.” Prof. Howard expressed heartfelt thanks.

The event provided an opportunity to welcome new members and recognize the ongoing contributions of current CCADD researchers. In addition, the event served as a meaningful moment to reconnect with CCADD alumni. Above all, the gathering was a chance to once again express sincere gratitude for Prof. Howard’s enduring mentorship and support. The evening was both meaningful and enjoyable for all who attended.

A research article, entitled “Country Contribution to Investigators of Pivotal Clinical Trials and their Primary Publications of New Drugs Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, 2012–2021”, authored by Yoona Choi, Jung-Hyun Won, Heeju Kim, YeSol Hong, Yujin Kim, and Howard Lee, has been published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (CPT) on February 5, 2025. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (CPT) is one of the most prestigious journals in the field of clinical pharmacology (impact factor of 6.3 in 2023), reflecting its significant influence in translational medicine and regulatory science.

This study investigated the geographical distribution of investigators and authors in pivotal clinical trials (PCTs) for new drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 2012 to 2021 and its association with the racial and ethnic diversity of study participants. While PCTs are often conducted across multiple countries to ensure broad participant enrollment and generalizability of clinical trial findings, the diversity of trial participants remains inadequate, with a predominant representation of White. To address this, the study analyzed 429 new drugs, 734 PCTs, and 718 primary publications (PPubs), extracting data from FDA labels, review s, PPubs, and clinicaltrials.gov. The findings revealed that North America and Western Europe (NAWE) accounted for the largest proportion of PCT investigators (62.9%), PPub authors (81.7%), and lead authors (90.9%). Among 521 PPubs reporting racial and ethnic distribution of participants, the median Diversity Index (DI) was 0.33, with only 16.3% of PPubs exceeding a DI of 0.5.

This study shows that evidence generation for new drug approval has remained concentrated in NAWE, with an even stronger presence in PPub authorship. This study emphasizes that to improve the racial/ethnic diversity of PCT participants, investigators from non-NAWE countries should be encouraged to take on more leadership roles, thereby increasing their likelihood of serving as authors in PPub.

On Friday, December 27, 2024, the 2024 CCADD Year-End Workshop was successfully held at the Seoul National University (SNU) Yongon Campus. The event was attended by Prof. Howard Lee, CCADD members, interns, and alumni. Notably, Research Professor Yoona Choi joined the event in person, while Prof. Asa Johansson and Dr. Tae Kyu Chung participated online, adding an international dimension to the program.

The workshop began with a brief icebreaking session, followed by a series of meaningful presentations. The first presenter, Yunjin Choi, shared her growth and learning experiences over the past six months in her presentation titled “The Serendipitous Road: Lessons from the Past 6 Months.” Next, Yujin Kim reflected on her first year as a graduate student, highlighting her research projects, achievements, and key takeaways. In the afternoon session, Junghyun Won provided a retrospective on her 4.5 years as a graduate student, offering valuable insights into the diverse experiences of graduate life.

The main session reviewed CCADD's accomplishments in 2024, celebrating the research group's growth and achievements. Prof. Howard Lee commended the group’s continued success in research and publications. The workshop then shifted its focus to 2025, with a session outlining a roadmap emphasizing emerging AI concepts and innovative research ideas aligned with the latest trends.

Three special lectures added depth and inspiration to the workshop. Dr. Tae Kyu Chung, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California San Francisco, delivered a lecture titled “Postdoc Diaries: A Glimpse of Life in the US,” offering a vivid account of his life and research abroad, which resonated strongly with the audience. Research Professor Yoona Choi reflected on her year as a research professor at Child Cancer and Rare Disease Project, Seoul National University Hospital. Her presentation detailed the challenges and achievements of her rigorous research journey, offering valuable insights for fellow researchers. Prof. Asa Johansson from Uppsala University delivered a lecture titled “Pharmacoepidemiology in the Era of Precision Health,” introducing the latest developments in precision medicine and pharmacoepidemiology. Her session provided an opportunity for attendees to exchange ideas with an international expert.

The workshop concluded with an inspiring speech by Prof. Howard Lee, who has been serving as the Dean of the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology at SNU. Prof. Lee praised CCADD's remarkable achievements throughout 2024 and expressed his strong support for the group’s ambitious goals in 2025. The 2024 CCADD Year-End Workshop provided members and alumni with a valuable opportunity to strengthen their relationships, exchange ideas, and align on a shared vision for the journey ahead.

On May 30th, CCADD came together to celebrate Teacher's Day, creating a memorable evening for Prof. Howard, graduate students, and CCADD members. The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Hyun A Lee, Dr. Siun Kim, Dr. Yoona Choi, and Dr. Tae Kyu Chung, whose attendance added warmth and significance to the occasion.

The evening was enchanting, with a delightful dinner setting the stage for meaningful conversations. Attendees shared recent updates, discussed various research topics, and exchanged personal experiences. Both graduates and current students found inspiration and motivation in each other's stories, drawing strength from their shared journeys.

A heartfelt farewell for Dr. Tae Kyu Chung marked a special highlight of the event. As he prepares to start a new chapter as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Dr. Chung expressed his gratitude and hopes for future research endeavors. CCADD members honored Dr. Chung’s new journey with full hearts, celebrating his achievements and new beginning.

The gathering reaffirmed the strong bonds within CCADD and emphasized the importance of interaction and collaboration between alumni and current members. This event was more than just a meeting; it was a moment of growth, support, and envisioning a shared future. We hope such gatherings will continue, creating lasting and meaningful memories for all CCADD members.

The study "Effectiveness and Safety of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors Added to Dual or Triple Treatment in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus," authored by Yesol Hong, Yoomin Jeon, Yoona Choi, Tae Kyu Chung, and Howard Lee, was published in the Diabetes Therapy on December 20, 2023. Conducted at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) in South Korea, this research by the CCADD team delved into the use of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) treatment. The study, utilizing Real-World Data (RWD) from electronic medical records (EMR) from SNUH's a Common Data Model database, revealed improvements in HbA1c levels and a higher rate of patients achieving targeted HbA1c levels with SGLT2i therapy.

Furthermore, CCADD is dedicated to continuing its use of EMR-based RWD to generate important clinical evidence, particularly in areas where Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) may face limitations. This commitment underscores CCADD's role in advancing medical research and improving patient care through innovative data utilization.

Yoona Choi and Jung-Hyun Won attended the 65th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), which took place from December 9 to 12, 2023, in San Diego, USA. Annually, the ASH conference brings together healthcare professionals, researchers, clinicians, and academics from around the globe to explore advancements in hematology. This prestigious event not only focuses on the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of blood disorders but also features a variety of social events and opportunities for collaboration and the sharing of insights among experts in the field. Official photos from ASH are available here.

At the 'Outcomes Research—Lymphoid Malignancies: Poster II' session, Yoona Choi, serving as the first author and representing the entire research team, presented a study titled 'Evaluating the Effectiveness and Safety of Prephase Steroid Treatment before Remission Induction Chemotherapy in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Common Data Model-Based Real-World Data Approach.' This study investigated steroid pretreatment in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients undergoing remission induction chemotherapy (RIC), with the aim of reducing complications such as tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). Analyzing data from Seoul National University Hospital and Catholic University Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, the study compared patients who received steroid pretreatment at least seven days before RIC with those who did not. The findings indicated a significant reduction in TLS incidence in the pretreated group. While overall survival rates were higher in this group, the difference was not statistically significant. These results provide important real-world evidence for the effectiveness of steroid pretreatment in reducing TLS risk in pediatric ALL patients.

This study was part of a larger project, funded by a grant from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, aiming to develop a disease registry database for pediatric ALL using real-world data in the clinical data warehouse (CDW) of Seoul National University Hospital and Catholic University Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, thereby generating real-world evidence for pediatric ALL.