Publications by authors named "J Kevin Ford"

Importance: Enhanced breast cancer screening with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended to women with elevated risk of breast cancer, yet uptake of screening remains unclear after genetic testing.

Objective: To evaluate uptake of MRI after genetic results disclosure and counseling.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter cohort study was conducted at the University of Southern California Norris Cancer Hospital, the Los Angeles General Medical Center, and the Stanford University Cancer Institute.

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VISTA is a key immune checkpoint receptor under investigation for cancer immunotherapy; however, its signaling mechanisms remain unclear. Here we identify a conserved four amino acid (NPGF) intracellular motif in VISTA that suppresses cell proliferation by constraining cell-intrinsic growth receptor signaling. The NPGF motif binds to the adapter protein NUMB and recruits Rab11 endosomal recycling machinery.

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Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have advanced as a mainstay among the most promising cancer therapeutics, offering enhanced antigen targeting and encompassing wide diversity in their linker and payload components. Small-molecule inhibitors of tubulin polymerization have found success as payloads in FDA approved ADCs and represent further promise in next-generation, pre-clinical and developmental ADCs. Unique dual-mechanism payloads (previously designed and synthesized in our laboratories) function as both potent antiproliferative agents and promising vascular disrupting agents capable of imparting selective and effective damage to tumor-associated microvessels.

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