Celeste Bello, MD

Cancer Focus:
Hodgkin Lymphoma, Leukemia, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Dr. Celeste Bello is a double board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist, and a senior member in the Malignant Hematology program at Moffitt Cancer Center. She joined the faculty at Moffitt Cancer Center in 2008 after completing her fellowship at the University of South Florida. Dr. Bello has developed special expertise in managing patients with Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, a special category within the broader group of hematologic (blood) malignancies. Examples of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas include follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. She is a current member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Hodgkin lymphoma guidelines panel. She also specializes in treating patients with central nervous system lymphomas. Dr. Bello is an active researcher in the field and can often offer her patients several options for clinical trials in addition to the standard therapies. She is very involved with the education of medical students and residents at the University of South Florida and at Moffitt Cancer Center. She is also a frequent lecturer on lymphomas for both medical and lay audiences, including presenting at Lymphoma Research Foundation events.

Education & Training

Fellowship:

• University of South Florida - Hematology/Oncology

Residency:

• University of South Florida - Internal Medicine

Medical School:

• University of South Florida - MD

• Zhang Y, Rose A, Khadka S, Cao B, Eatrides J, Saeed H, Shah BD, Chavez J, Bello C, Lazaryan A, Khimani F, Ibarz JP, Liu HD, Locke FL, Jain MD, Zhang L, Kharfan-Dabaja MA, Kim J, Ayala E, Nishihori T, Sokol L. Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Consolidation for First Response is Associated With Longer Survival Among Patients With Nodal Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma. Transplant Cell Ther. 2024 Sep.30(9):887.e1-887.e9. Pubmedid: 38740140.
• Epperla N, Huang Y, Cashen AF, Vaughn JL, Hanel W, Badar T, Barta SK, Caimi PF, Sethi TK, Reddy N, Karmali R, Bello C, Chavez JC, Kothari SK, Hernandez-Ilizaliturri FJ, Svoboda J, Lansigan F, Glenn MJ, Cohen JB, Sorge C, Christian B, Herrera AF, Hamadani M, Costa LJ, Xavier AC. Evaluation of prognostic factors in patients with high-risk classical Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing autologous transplantation. Blood Adv. 2024 Nov.8(21):5458-5466. Pubmedid: 39213424. Pmcid: PMC11532746.
• Logothetis CN, Horvat NP, Kurian T, Bello C, Chavez J, Isenalumhe L, Shah B, Sokol L, Saeed H, Pinilla J, Gaballa S. Bendamustine and rituximab as frontline therapy in extranodal marginal zone lymphoma: a single-institution experience. Oncol Res. 2024 May.32(6):1031-1036. Pubmedid: 38827319. Pmcid: PMC11136690.
• Chavez JC, Grajales A, Sandoval-Sus J, Turba E, Nodzon L, Uriepero-Palma A, Ammad-Ud-Din M, Sahakian E, Komrokji R, Sokol L, Locke FL, Shah B, Lancet J, Sotomayor EM, Kharfan-Dabaja MA, Bello C, Pinilla-Ibarz J. Long-term follow up of the combination of ofatumumab, high-dose methylprednisolone, and lenalidomide for untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia with biomarker analysis. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2024 Jun.24(6):382-391.e2. Pubmedid: 38508880.
• Dong N, Zhang H, Song J, Mammadova J, Shah B, Saeed H, Gaballa S, Grajales-Cruz A, Isenalumhe L, Bello C, Sokol L, Pinilla J, Chavez J. B-cell maturation antigen expression and clinical features of plasmablastic lymphoma. EJHaem. 2024 Feb.5(1):285-289. Pubmedid: 38406544. Pmcid: PMC10887266.
• Epperla N, Zhao Q, Moyo T, Watkins MP, Tavakkoli M, Bello C, Torka P, Reddy N, Thomas C, Annunzio K, Christian B, Barta SK, Shouse G, Olszewski AJ, Bartlett NL. Outcomes of marginal zone lymphoma treated with ibrutinib in the first-line setting in the United States: a real-world analysis. Blood Adv. 2024 Feb.8(3):549-552. Pubmedid: 38091577. Pmcid: PMC10835265.
• Shah NN, Castillo-Tokumori F, Whiting J, Boulware D, Sandoval-Sus J, Knepper TC, Hussaini M, Tao J, Chavez JC, Isenalumhe L, Gaballa S, Saeed H, Bello C, Sokol L, Pinilla-Ibarz J, Shah BD. Frontline treatment approaches in TP53-aberrant mantle cell lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma. 2023 Jan.64(1):230-233. Pubmedid: 36301721.
• Epperla N, Zhao Q, Mullick Chowdhury S, Shea L, Moyo T, Reddy N, Sheets JW, Weiner DM, Ramakrishnan Geethakumari P, Kandarpa M, Jordan Bruno X, Thomas C, Churnetski MC, Hsu A, Zurbriggen LD, Tan XC, Lindsey KG, Maakaron J, Caimi PF, Torka P, Bello C, Ayyappan S, Oh TS, Karmali R, Kim SH, Kress A, Kothari S, Sawalha Y, Christian B, David KA, Greenwell IB, Janakiram M, Kenkre VP, Olszewski AJ, Cohen JB, Palmisiano N, Umyarova ER, Wilcox RA, Awan FT, Alderuccio JP, Barta SK, Grover NS, Ghosh N, Bartlett NL, Herrera AF, Shouse G. Postibrutinib relapse outcomes for patients with marginal zone lymphoma. Blood Adv. 2023 Jan.7(1):88-91. Pubmedid: 36269847. Pmcid: PMC9827027.
• Azem A, Caddell R, Nelson R, Isenalumhe L, Gaballa S, Chavez J, Bello C, Pinilla J, Sokol L, Shah B, Saeed H. Toxicity of a Modified PEG-Asparaginase-Based SMILE Regimen Is Comparable to L-Asparaginase-Based SMILE in a Non-Asian Population. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2023 Aug.23(8):606-609. Pubmedid: 37210271.
• Epperla N, Zhao Q, Chowdhury SM, Shea L, Moyo TK, Reddy N, Sheets J, Weiner DM, Geethakumari PR, Kandarpa M, Bruno XJ, Thomas C, Churnetski MC, Hsu A, Zurbriggen L, Tan C, Lindsey K, Maakaron J, Caimi PF, Torka P, Bello C, Ayyappan S, Karmali R, Kim SH, Kress A, Kothari S, Sawalha Y, Christian B, David KA, Greenwell IB, Janakiram M, Kenkre VP, Olszewski AJ, Cohen JB, Palmisiano N, Umyarova E, Wilcox RA, Awan FT, Alderuccio JP, Barta SK, Grover NS, Ghosh N, Bartlett NL, Herrera AF, Shouse G. Predictive factors and outcomes for ibrutinib in relapsed/refractory marginal zone lymphoma: a multicenter cohort study. J Hematol Oncol. 2022 Jul.15(1):96. Pubmedid: 35842643. Pmcid: PMC9287914.
• Hoppe RT, Advani RH, Ai WZ, Ambinder RF, Armand P, Bello CM, Benitez CM, Chen W, Dabaja B, Daly ME, Gordon LI, Hansen N, Herrera AF, Hochberg EP, Johnston PB, Kaminski MS, Kelsey CR, Kenkre VP, Khan N, Lynch RC, Maddocks K, McConathy J, Metzger M, Morgan D, Mulroney C, Pullarkat ST, Rabinovitch R, Rosenspire KC, Seropian S, Tao R, Torka P, Winter JN, Yahalom J, Yang JC, Burns JL, Campbell M, Sundar H. NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Hodgkin Lymphoma, Version 2.2022. J Natl Compr Canc Ne. 2022 Apr.20(4):322-334. Pubmedid: 35390768.
• Rose A, Grajales-Cruz A, Lim A, Todd A, Bello C, Shah B, Chavez J, Pinilla-Ibartz J, Saeed H, Sandoval-Sus J, Isenalumhe L, Sokol L. Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: Clinicopathologic Features, Prognostic Factors, and Outcomes From a 28-Year Single Institutional Experience. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2021 Feb.21(2):132-138. Pubmedid: 32950461.
• Hoppe RT, Advani RH, Ai WZ, Ambinder RF, Armand P, Bello CM, Benitez CM, Bierman PJ, Boughan KM, Dabaja B, Gordon LI, Hernandez-Ilizaliturri FJ, Herrera AF, Hochberg EP, Huang J, Johnston PB, Kaminski MS, Kenkre VP, Khan N, Lynch RC, Maddocks K, McConathy J, McKinney M, Metzger M, Morgan D, Mulroney C, Rabinovitch R, Rosenspire KC, Seropian S, Tao R, Winter JN, Yahalom J, Burns JL, Ogba N. Hodgkin Lymphoma, Version 2.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Ne. 2020 Jun.18(6):755-781. Pubmedid: 32502987.
• Mirza AS, Dholaria BR, Hussaini M, Mushtaq S, Horna P, Ravindran A, Kumar A, Ayala E, Kharfan-Dabaja MA, Bello C, Chavez JC, Sokol L. High-dose Therapy and Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation as Consolidation Treatment for Primary Effusion Lymphoma. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2019 Sep.19(9):e513-e520. Pubmedid: 31253594.
• Abramson JS, Arnason JE, LaCasce AS, Redd R, Barnes JA, Sokol L, Joyce R, Avigan D, Neuberg D, Takvorian RW, Hochberg EP, Bello CM. Brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine for nonbulky limited-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Blood. 2019 Aug.134(7):606-613. Pubmedid: 31186274.
• Hoppe RT, Advani RH, Ai WZ, Ambinder RF, Aoun P, Armand P, Bello CM, Benitez CM, Bierman PJ, Chen R, Dabaja B, Dean R, Forero A, Gordon LI, Hernandez-Ilizaliturri FJ, Hochberg EP, Huang J, Johnston PB, Kaminski MS, Kenkre VP, Khan N, Maddocks K, Maloney DG, Metzger M, Moore JO, Morgan D, Moskowitz CH, Mulroney C, Rabinovitch R, Seropian S, Tao R, Winter JN, Yahalom J, Burns JL, Ogba N. NCCN Guidelines Insights: Hodgkin Lymphoma, Version 1.2018. J Natl Compr Canc Ne. 2018 Mar.16(3):245-254. Pubmedid: 29523663.
• Abuodeh Y, Ahmed K, Echevarria M, Naghavi A, Grass GD, Robinson TJ, Tomblyn M, Shah B, Chavez J, Bello C, El-Haddad G, Harrison L, Kim S. Priming radioimmunotherapy with external beam radiation in patients with relapsed low grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Ther Adv Hematol. 2017 Apr.8(4):129-138. Pubmedid: 28491264. Pmcid: PMC5405899.
• Chavez JC, Sandoval-Sus J, Horna P, Dalia S, Bello C, Chevernick P, Sotomayor EM, Sokol L, Shah B. Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis: A Single Institution Experience and Review of the Literature. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2016 Aug.16 Suppl:S170-S174. Pubmedid: 27521314.
• Hoppe RT, Advani RH, Ai WZ, Ambinder RF, Aoun P, Bello CM, Benitez CM, Bierman PJ, Blum KA, Chen R, Dabaja B, Forero A, Gordon LI, Hernandez-Ilizaliturri FJ, Hochberg EP, Huang J, Johnston PB, Khan N, Maloney DG, Mauch PM, Metzger M, Moore JO, Morgan D, Moskowitz CH, Mulroney C, Poppe M, Rabinovitch R, Seropian S, Tsien C, Winter JN, Yahalom J, Burns JL, Sundar H. Hodgkin lymphoma, version 2.2015. J Natl Compr Canc Ne. 2015 May.13(5):554-586. Pubmedid: 25964641. Pmcid: PMC4898052.
• Eatrides J, Thompson Z, Lee JH, Bello C, Dalia S. Serum albumin as a stable predictor of prognosis during initial treatment in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Ann Hematol. 2015 Feb.94(2):357-358. Pubmedid: 25034876.
• Jacobsen ED, Sharman JP, Oki Y, Advani RH, Winter JN, Bello CM, Spitzer G, Palanca-Wessels MC, Kennedy DA, Levine P, Yang J, Bartlett NL. Brentuximab vedotin demonstrates objective responses in a phase 2 study of relapsed/refractory DLBCL with variable CD30 expression. Blood. 2015 Feb.125(9):1394-1402. Pubmedid: 25573987.
• Brown JR, Byrd JC, Coutre SE, Benson DM, Flinn IW, Wagner-Johnston ND, Spurgeon SE, Kahl BS, Bello C, Webb HK, Johnson DM, Peterman S, Li D, Jahn TM, Lannutti BJ, Ulrich RG, Yu AS, Miller LL, Furman RR. Idelalisib, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p110δ, for relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood. 2014 May.123(22):3390-3397. Pubmedid: 24615777. Pmcid: PMC4123414.
• Trimaldi JA, Bowers JW, Bello C, Sagatys EM. Follicular lymphoma with progression to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and concurrent CD5-negative mantle cell lymphoma-3 entities in a lymph node. Cancer Control. 2014 Jul.21(3):251-254. Pubmedid: 24955711.
• Dalia S, Chavez J, Little B, Bello C, Fisher K, Lee JH, Chervenick P, Sokol L, Sotomayor E, Shah B. Serum albumin retains independent prognostic significance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the post-rituximab era. Ann Hematol. 2014 Aug.93(8):1305-1312. Pubmedid: 24590536.
• Dalia S, Forsyth P, Chavez J, Price S, Shah B, Bello C, Sokol L, Pan E, Sotomayor E, Lee JH, Fisher K, Jaglal M. Primary B-cell CNS lymphoma clinicopathologic and treatment outcomes in 89 patients from a single tertiary care center. Int J Hematol. 2014 Apr.99(4):450-456. Pubmedid: 24584873.
• Jaglal MV, Duong VH, Bello CM, Al Ali NH, Padron E, Fernandez HF, List AF, Lancet JE, Komrokji RS. Cladribine, cytarabine, filgrastim, and mitoxantrone (CLAG-M) compared to standard induction in acute myeloid leukemia from myelodysplastic syndrome after azanucleoside failure. Leuk Res. 2014 Apr.38(4):443-446. Pubmedid: 24439565.
• Patel J, Ho M, Ho V, Bello C, Djulbegovic B, Sokol L, Wetzstein G. Rapid infusion rituximab for maintenance therapy: is it feasible?. Leuk Res Treatment. 2013 Nov.2013:629283. Pubmedid: 24288618. Pmcid: PMC3833187.
• Hoppe RT, Advani RH, Ai WZ, Ambinder RF, Aoun P, Bello CM, Bierman PJ, Blum KA, Chen R, Dabaja B, Duron Y, Forero A, Gordon LI, Hernandez-Ilizaliturri FJ, Hochberg EP, Maloney DG, Mansur D, Mauch PM, Metzger M, Moore JO, Morgan D, Moskowitz CH, Poppe M, Pro B, Winter JN, Yahalom J, Sundar H. Hodgkin lymphoma, version 2.2012 featured updates to the NCCN guidelines. J Natl Compr Canc Ne. 2012 May.10(5):589-597. Pubmedid: 22570290.
• Bello C, Zhang L, Naghashpour M. Follicular lymphoma: current management and future directions. Cancer Control. 2012 Jul.19(3):187-195. Pubmedid: 22710894.
• Bello C, Sokol L. B-cell non-hodgkin lymphoma: targeting in on the future. Cancer Control. 2012 Jul.19(3):171-172. Pubmedid: 22710892.
• Hoppe RT, Advani RH, Ai WZ, Ambinder RF, Bello CM, Bierman PJ, Blum KA, Dabaja B, Duron Y, Forero A, Gordon LI, Hernandez-Ilizaliturri FJ, Hochberg EP, Maloney DG, Mansur D, Mauch PM, Metzger M, Moore JO, Morgan D, Moskowitz CH, Poppe M, Pro B, Weiss L, Winter JN, Yahalom J. Hodgkin lymphoma. J Natl Compr Canc Ne. 2011 Sep.9(9):1020-1058. Pubmedid: 21917626.
• Bello C, Veliz M, Pinilla-Ibarz J. Ofatumumab in the treatment of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2011 May.7(3):295-300. Pubmedid: 21595596.
• Komrokji RS, Al Ali NH, Beg MS, Safa MM, Rollison D, Kharfan-Dabaja M, Bello C, Cultrera J, Sokol L, Pinilla-Ibarz J, Sotomayor EM. Outcome of diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma in the United States has improved over time but racial disparities remain: review of SEER data. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2011 Jun.11(3):257-260. Pubmedid: 21658652.
• Liu JJ, Zhang L, Ayala E, Field T, Ochoa-Bayona JL, Perez L, Bello CM, Chervenick PA, Bruno S, Cultrera JL, Baz RC, Kharfan-Dabaja MA, Raychaudhuri J, Sotomayor EM, Sokol L. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative plasmablastic lymphoma: a single institutional experience and literature review. Leuk Res. 2011 Dec.35(12):1571-1577. Pubmedid: 21752466.
• Bello C, Yu D, Komrokji RS, Zhu W, Wetzstein GA, List AF, Lancet JE. Outcomes after induction chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia arising from myelodysplastic syndrome. Cancer. 2011 Apr.117(7):1463-1469. Pubmedid: 21425147. Pmcid: PMC4545502.
• Pinilla-Ibarz J, Bello C. Modern approaches to treating chronic myelogenous leukemia. Curr Oncol Rep. 2008 Sep.10(5):365-371. Pubmedid: 18706263.