The emerging roles of liver X receptors and their ligands in cancer

Introduction: Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors with well-known functions in cholesterol transport, fatty acid and glucose metabolism, and modulation of immune responses. Natural and synthetic ligands have been identified and are under development for the treatment of metabolic and inflammatory conditions and diseases. There is mounting evidence pointing to functional roles for LXRs in a variety of malignancies and the potential therapeutic efficacy of their ligands.Areas covered: This review summarizes the discovery and characterization of LXRs and their ligands, surveys their effects and mechanisms of action in cell-based and animal models of cancer, and proposes the future direction of basic and translational studies of LXRs and their ligands in cancer research and therapeutics.Expert opinion: Targeting LXRs is a promising strategy for cancer treatment, particularly for those cancers which do not have effective treatment options. Key questions remain, however, regarding the specific mechanisms of action, effects on other target cells within the tumor microenvironment, and receptor status in patient populations. Moreover, LXR ligands optimized for disease-specific functions and cancer-related endpoints are currently not available. These issues represent both challenges and significant opportunities for future research and development efforts.