Gary Stack, MD, PhD
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
We have focused on finding ways to improve transfusion safety. We have studied blood group alloimmunization, i.e. the development of antibodies to red blood cells that occurs in some patients after transfusion. These antibodies are important since they can make it difficult to find compatible blood. They also mediate destruction of transfused red blood cells and transfusion reactions. We found that these antibodies are more dangerous than previously thought due to their higher rate of disappearance over time than previously thought. Their disappearance causes them to become undetectable during transfusion compatibility testing, yet their levels increase dramatically following transfusion of incompatible red blood cells. We have also studied the tendency of some patients to develop more than one blood group antibody. Currently, we are investigating ways to better detect and prevent blood group antibodies.
We have also studied how to better prepare and store platelets for transfusion. Platelets are small blood particles that are important in the early stages of blood clotting. Some patients develop dangerously low platelet counts and require platelet transfusions to prevent bleeding. However, we have found that platelets leak substances during blood bank storage that can mediate adverse inflammatory reactions when transfused. We are attempting to understand what causes this leakage and how to prevent it.
We also have recently been investigating the use of genetic testing to better predict correct doses of anticoagulant and anti-platelet drugs. Our initial focus has been on determining the advantages and disadvantages of different testing methods.
Specialized Terms: Blood group alloimmunization; Pharmacogenetics; Blood bank storage of platelets; Pro-inflammatory cytokines; Blood transfusion
Extensive Research Description
Coauthors
Research Interests
Blood Banks; Blood Transfusion; Pathology; Pharmacogenetics; Medical Laboratory Science; Cytokines
Selected Publications
- Comparison of assay systems for warfarin-related CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypingMaurice CB, Barua PK, Simses D, Smith P, Howe JG, Stack G. Comparison of assay systems for warfarin-related CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotyping Clinica Chimica Acta 2010, 411: 947-954. PMID: 20226775, DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2010.03.005.
- Immunogenicity of blood group antigens: a mathematical model corrected for antibody evanescence with exclusion of naturally occurring and pregnancy-related antibodiesTormey CA, Stack G. Immunogenicity of blood group antigens: a mathematical model corrected for antibody evanescence with exclusion of naturally occurring and pregnancy-related antibodies Blood 2009, 114: 4279-4282. PMID: 19713462, DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-06-227793.
- IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY: The characterization and classification of concurrent blood group antibodiesTormey CA, Stack G. IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY: The characterization and classification of concurrent blood group antibodies Transfusion 2009, 49: 2709-2718. PMID: 19682334, DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2009.02337.x.
- Estimation of combat-related blood group alloimmunization and delayed serologic transfusion reactions in U.S. military veterans.Tormey CA, Stack G. Estimation of combat-related blood group alloimmunization and delayed serologic transfusion reactions in U.S. military veterans. Military Medicine 2009, 174: 503-7. PMID: 20731281, DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-02-5808.
- The persistence and evanescence of blood group alloantibodies in menTormey CA, Stack G. The persistence and evanescence of blood group alloantibodies in men Transfusion 2008, 49: 505-512. PMID: 19040411, DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2008.02014.x.
- Red blood cell alloantibody frequency, specificity, and properties in a population of male military veteransTormey CA, Fisk J, Stack G. Red blood cell alloantibody frequency, specificity, and properties in a population of male military veterans Transfusion 2008, 48: 2069-2076. PMID: 18631165, DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2008.01815.x.
- Enhancing Biocompatibility of Platelets with Plastic Containers during Blood Bank Preparation & Storage: Reducing Platelet-Derived Cytokine ReleaseAli H, Enderle J, Stack G, Jensen K. Enhancing Biocompatibility of Platelets with Plastic Containers during Blood Bank Preparation & Storage: Reducing Platelet-Derived Cytokine Release 2003, 179-180. DOI: 10.1109/nebc.2003.1216052.