Transcriptional and non-transcriptional roles of LXRs in cancer cells

Liver X Receptors (LXRs) have been proposed to have some anticancer properties. LXRs affect cancer cell proliferation and cell death through mechanisms that seems mostly to rely on its transcriptional activities. We recently identified a new non-genomic role of LXRβ in colon cancer cells. Under LXR agonist treatment, LXRβ induces an atypical cell death called pyroptosis in vitro and in vivo. Together with other reports, we raise the importance of targeting LXRs in cancer treatment.