Abstract: Organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP), a member of solute carrier (SLC) superfamily, is considered as an important transmembrane uptake transporters. OATP is involved in the transport of a variety of endo- and xenobiotics (bile acids, bilirubin, prostaglandin, thyroid hormones, steroid hormone conjugates), drugs and toxins in a Na₊ and ATP independent manner. Multiple factors (eg. hormones, proinflammatory cytokines, drugs) can affect the distribution, expression and activity of OATPs, leading to an altered accumulation of OATP substrates and related food-drug and drug-drug interactions. Changes in the distribution and expression of OATPs in malignant tissues may be related to the pathological process of cancer, while the modulation epigenetic mechanism also contributes to its distribution patterns. This review describes the factors that can affect the expression or function of OATPs, which may provide a valuable reference for drug development and the clarification of pathogenesis.