Taewoong Choi, MD
Cellular Therapy Specialist, Hematologist (Malignant), Stem Cell Transplant Specialist
My Locations
Part of the Duke Cancer Institute
About Me
Since studying basic immunology prior to beginning my clinical training, I have been deeply interested in applying immunological perspective for the treatment of cancers including hematologic malignancies. Interestingly emerging immunotherapies showed very promising results in recent years. In my clinic, I treat patients with multiple myeloma which is one type of cancer arising from plasma cells. My research will focus on developing early phase clinical protocols utilizing novel cellular therapy approach and also improving the outcomes of blood and marrow transplantation. My ultimate goal is to provide better treatment options than the current standard approach to patients.
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy 2021
- Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute 2019
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
- Multiple Myeloma
- Light or Heavy Chain Deposition Disease
- POEMS Syndrome
- Allogeneic Transplant
- Autologous Transplant
- Syngeneic Transplant
- Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia
- Amyloidosis
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplant
- Multiple Sclerosis
Ratings and Reviews
The ratings and reviews are based on patient responses to the overall provider rating question from the survey. The question reads: “Using any number from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst provider possible and 10 is the best provider possible, what number would you use to rate this provider?” Responses are converted to a 5-point rating system and applied consistently to all providers. Learn more about our survey process. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.
Training and Education
Clinical Focus and Research
My previous research in immunology focused on the development of both human and murine natural killer (NK) cells. Specifically, I studied how NK cells develop tolerance and how NK cells develop their capacities. Currently, I am working to develop cellular therapy for hematologic malignancies.
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Celgene: GC-LTFU-001 (Multiple Myeloma)IRB# PRO00102299 , NCT# NCT03435796
- BMT CTN 1902: Phase II Multicenter Trial of anti-B Cell Maturation Antigen Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Patients with Sub-Optimal Response After Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Maintenance Lenalidomi awarded by National Marrow Donor Program 2022 - 2027
- Long Term Follow-up Protocol for Subjects Treated with Gene-Modified T Cells awarded by Celgene Corporation 2021 - 2026
- Bergens, Matthew A., Yen P. Lowder, Yan Li, Ernaya J. Johnson, Hilary M. Winthrop, Amy T. Bush, Angela Xiong, et al. “Food insecurity prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplant is associated with malnutrition and worse outcomes.” Bone Marrow Transplant, April 12, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-025-02587-1.
- Artese, Ashley L., Michele Sainvil, Laura J. Fish, Lauren Hill, Tamara Somers, Anita Matthews, Leah Blazek, et al. “Exploring facilitators and barriers to daily chlorhexidine gluconate bathing in adult patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.” Support Care Cancer 32, no. 12 (November 28, 2024): 833. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-09037-6.
- Hussaini, SM Qasim, Yi Ren, Alessandro Racioppi, Meagan V. Lew, Lauren Bohannon, Ernaya Johnson, Yan Li, et al. “Financial Toxicity and Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Stem-Cell Transplant Evaluation: A Single-Center Analysis.” JCO Oncol Pract 20, no. 3 (March 2024): 351–60. https://doi.org/10.1200/OP.23.00243.
- Sainvil, Marie Michele, Melissa Lowe, Delaney Underwood, Yan Li, Tomi F. Akinyemiju, Taewoong Choi, Cristina Gasparetto, et al. “Disparities in CAR-T Therapy Access and Outcomes: Variation in Referral Patterns for CAR-T Therapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Malignancies at an Academic Center in North Carolina.” In Blood, 144:5044–5044. American Society of Hematology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2024-211637.
- Sainvil, Marie Michele, Melissa Lowe, Delaney Underwood, Yan Li, Tomi F. Akinyemiju, Taewoong Choi, Cristina Gasparetto, et al. “Understanding Sociodemographic Barriers in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Among Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: Insights from a North Carolina Cohort.” In Blood, 144:2295–2295. American Society of Hematology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2024-211219.
- Mercer, Joshua S., Claire I. Bradbury, Samantha M. Thomas, Sendhilnathan Ramalingam, Cristina Gasparetto, Taewoong Choi, Anthony D. Sung, et al. “Timing of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for myelofibrosis and other myeloproliferative neoplasms.” In JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Vol. 42, 2024.
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
External Relationships
- Janssen Pharmaceuticals
- biolinerx