Based on limited published evidence, OR1F1 is an olfactory receptor protein localized to the plasma membrane with canonical odorant receptor activity and signal transduction functions. However, recent research has identified an unexpected role for OR1F1 beyond olfaction: high OR1F1 protein expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues was significantly associated with reduced overall and disease-free survival, and served as an independent adverse prognostic factor 1. OR1F1 expression enabled stratification of patient prognosis into three distinct risk levels, suggesting potential clinical utility as a prognostic biomarker in cancer.