Putative roles of organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) in cell survival and progression of human cancers

Transporter proteins classified into the solute carrier (SLC) transporter superfamily are essential for the import of nutrients required for cell survival in organisms. Various SLC transporters are differentially upregulated in cancer cells, and among them, polyspecific organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) have been proposed to have pathophysiological significance in cancer. This review will briefly introduce OATPs and summarize their proposed roles in cancer, focusing particularly on hormone-dependent breast and prostate cancers. Over the past two decades, compelling evidence has also accumulated that SLC transporters, including OATPs, interact with clinically important anticancer agents and influence their pharmacokinetics, particularly the processes of absorption, elimination and distribution. Therefore, a better understanding of not only the pathophysiological roles, but also the pharmacological effects of OATPs in cancer cells should be helpful in combating human malignant tumors.