Specialized Care Clinics in Malignant Hematology: How Moffitt Supports Risk, Monitoring and Treatment

When people hear the term malignant hematology, they often think only of blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma. But not every patient seen by malignant hematology specialists has an active cancer diagnosis. Some are living with conditions that increase cancer risk. Others need close monitoring over time. Still others require extra support while receiving advanced immunotherapy.

To meet these needs, Moffitt Cancer Center has developed a group of specialized care clinics within Malignant Hematology. Together, these clinics focus on risk assessment, long-term monitoring and treatment support, helping patients receive the right level of care at every stage of their journey.

What are specialized care clinics in malignant hematology?

Specialized care clinics are designed for patients whose needs fall outside traditional disease-based cancer clinics. These programs support people who may not need immediate cancer treatment but still benefit from cancer-level expertise.

Some patients require careful observation because of abnormal blood findings. Others face higher risks due to genetic or molecular changes that can increase the likelihood of blood cancers or other serious health conditions. And for patients receiving complex therapies, specialized clinics provide additional monitoring to improve safety and outcomes.

Together, these clinics reflect a proactive and personalized approach to care that adjusts as a patient’s level of risk changes or as treatment needs evolve.

Managing cancer risk through precursor conditions

The MGUS Clinic: Monitoring a common blood condition linked to myeloma

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, or MGUS, is a non-malignant blood condition in which plasma cells produce an abnormal protein. MGUS is relatively common, particularly in adults over 50, and most people with MGUS have no symptoms.

While MGUS itself does not require treatment, it is considered a precursor condition because it carries a steady risk of progression to multiple myeloma or related blood disorders. Because of this risk, expert monitoring is essential.

Moffitt’s MGUS Clinic provides dedicated, long-term surveillance for patients with this precursor condition. Specialists focus on identifying individual risk factors, tracking changes over time and detecting progression as early as possible. Patients also benefit from access to research efforts aimed at understanding how MGUS evolves and how progression might one day be prevented.

By centralizing care for MGUS, the clinic ensures that patients receive consistent monitoring and guidance, rather than fragmented follow-up spread across multiple providers.

“We need to start identifying people with MGUS so we can follow them. If they develop cancer, we can intervene literally when it turns from precancer to cancer, as opposed to waiting until it’s too late,” says Brandon Blue, MD.

Brandon Blue, MD

Addressing precursor mutations that increase blood cancer and heart risk

CARDIO-CATCH: A precursor-focused clinic for clonal hematopoiesis

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is a condition in which certain blood-forming cells acquire genetic mutations that allow them to grow more rapidly than others. These mutations become more common with age and are frequently found in people with cancer.

CH is considered a hematologic precursor state because it increases the risk of developing blood cancers such as myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. Research has also shown that CH significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure.

To address this complex risk profile, Moffitt created the CARDIO-CATCH Clinic (Cardiology–Counseling and Therapeutics for Clonal Hematopoiesis). This specialized, precursor-focused clinic brings together experts in malignant hematology, cardiology, precision medicine and molecular diagnostics.

“The clinic serves as a specialized hub where patients harboring clonal hematopoiesis mutations, whether with or without an existing cancer diagnosis, can receive comprehensive assessment, monitoring and personalized management strategies,” says Zoey Xie, MD, MS, lead clinician and researcher for the clinic.

Patients seen through CARDIO-CATCH benefit from coordinated care that addresses both hematologic and cardiovascular risk. The clinic also plays a central role in research efforts designed to better understand how precursor mutations progress and how early interventions may reduce future complications.

“By closely monitoring CH-positive individuals, clinicians can intervene early to mitigate the heightened risk of developing conditions such as MDS, AML and cardiovascular events,” says Jeffrey Lancet, MD, chair of Moffitt’s Malignant Hematology Program.

Supporting patients through advanced immunotherapy treatment

SONIC  offers support during bispecific antibody therapy

Not all specialized care clinics focus on precursor conditions. Some are designed to support patients during active cancer treatment, particularly when therapies are complex or carry higher risks.

One example is SONIC, which stands for Specialized Oncology Non-Cellular Immunotherapy Comprehensive Care. SONIC supports patients receiving bispecific antibody therapies, which are powerful immune-based treatments used for blood cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

These therapies can be highly effective, but their early “ramp-up” phase carries a higher risk of immune-related side effects. The SONIC program was created to support patients during this critical period.

Through dedicated inpatient and outpatient monitoring, SONIC teams manage side effects early and coordinate care across settings. This approach allows patients to receive advanced immunotherapy more safely, while also supporting smoother transitions back to their ongoing oncology care.

By providing rapid access to clinicians experienced in managing immunotherapy-related complications, SONIC helps reduce delays, prevent serious adverse events and improve overall treatment experiences.

Why this supportive care model matters for patients

Together, Moffitt’s specialized care clinics reflect a shift toward more personalized and proactive malignant hematology care. Instead of waiting for disease to progress or complications to arise, these programs emphasize early identification, close monitoring and targeted support.

For patients, this means fewer gaps in care, clearer guidance and a care team that adapts as their needs change. Whether someone is living with a precursor condition that increases cancer risk or receiving one of today’s most advanced therapies, specialized clinics ensure that care is matched to complexity.

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Leading the future of malignant hematology care

By developing clinics like MGUS, CARDIO-CATCH and SONIC, Moffitt is helping redefine what malignant hematology care looks like. These programs demonstrate how precursor identification, risk-based monitoring and treatment support can work together to improve outcomes and quality of life.

As research advances and therapies continue to evolve, specialized care clinics will play an increasingly important role in ensuring patients receive not just treatment, but thoughtful, forward-looking care at every stage.