The lipid mediator prostanoids consist of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, and are synthesized from arachidonic acid by the action of cyclooxygenase. There are five major prostanoids, including prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), and they are involved in a variety of biological responses such as inflammation, allergy, parturition, and tumorigenesis. These prostanoids exert their effects via activation of their cognate G protein coupled receptors, e.g., E-type prostanoid (EP) receptors for PGE 2 . The EP receptors are composed of four subtypes, namely EP1 to EP4. Here, breakthroughs in the last dozen years of research are introduced, with a special focus on some important findings of EP4 receptor-mediated signaling and the signaling associated with cancer development, particularly in colon cancer.