Sanghee Hong, MD
Cellular Therapy Specialist, Hematologist (Malignant), Stem Cell Transplant Specialist
My Locations
Part of the Duke Cancer Institute
About Me
I specialize in leukemia, myeloid neoplasm, adult bone marrow transplantation, and cellular therapies. I have been inspired by many patients and their loved ones going through the challenging journey to cure underlying leukemia and myeloid neoplasms and feel very privileged to serve them. I am dedicated to clinical research that aims to expand access to bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapies. I am passionate about improving the outcomes of adult bone marrow transplant patients by preventing the relapse of leukemia. In order to do this, we are developing a comprehensive machine learning algorithm to predict relapse after transplantation. I strive to make a meaningful difference in the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies.
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy 2022
- Assistant Professor in Population Health Sciences, Population Health Sciences 2024
- Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute 2022
Call for an Appointment
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
I am passionate about investigating innovative therapeutics to treat leukemia and myeloid neoplasms to improve the chances of a long-term cure. This includes new techniques in cellular therapies and bone marrow transplantation. I am also highly interested in improving patients' access to care for therapeutics and maximizing patients’ quality of life during and after treatment.
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Phase 1 Open Label, PK, Safety study of CLN-049 (Acute Myeloid Leukemia/Myelodysplastic Syndrome)IRB# PRO00115147 , NCT# NCT05143996
- A Phase 1, Open-label, Preliminary Pharmacokinetics (PK) and Safety Study of CLN-049 (An fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 [FLT3] x cluster of differentiation 3 [CD3] bispecific T cell engager) in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (A awarded by Cullinan Florentine Corporation 2024 - 2029
- 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.
- Ballen, Karen, Tao Wang, Naya He, Jennifer M. Knight, Sanghee Hong, Haydar Frangoul, Leo F. Verdonck, et al. “Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Outcomes After Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation.” Transplant Cell Ther 30, no. 10 (October 2024): 1027.e1-1027.e14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtct.2024.07.009.
- Hong, S., and N. S. Majhail. “Social Issues.” In Blood and Marrow Transplantation Long Term Management: Survivorship after Transplant: Second Edition, 349–54, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119612780.ch35.
- 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.
- El Jurdi, Najla, Michael Martens, Claudio G. Brunstein, Paul O’Donnell, Stephanie J. Lee, Anita D’Souza, Brent Logan, et al. “Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Double Umbilical Cord Blood Vs. Haploidentical Marrow Transplantation: A QOL Analysis Report of BMT CTN 1101.” In Blood, 140:10545–46. American Society of Hematology, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2022-158828.
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.