POC1A (POC1 centriolar protein A) is a WD-repeat centriolar protein essential for centriole assembly, stability, and ciliogenesis 1. It functions as part of an inner scaffold complex within the centriole lumen, where POC1A-POC1B heterodimers organize an interaction network involving POC5 and FAM161A proteins that maintains centriolar integrity 2. POC1A plays redundant but essential roles with POC1B in generating stable centrioles and ensuring proper mitotic spindle formation; depletion of both proteins leads to defects in spindle organization and prevents nascent centriole maturation 1. Pathogenic biallelic POC1A variants cause SOFT syndrome (Short stature, Onychodysplasia, Facial dysmorphism, hypoTrichosis), a primordial dwarfism characterized by severe prenatal growth failure 3. Disease mechanisms include impaired ciliogenesis, adipocyte dysfunction, cellular senescence, and insulin/IGF-1 resistance leading to metabolic abnormalities including hyperinsulinemia, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis 4. Clinically, POC1A is upregulated in multiple cancers including lung adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, where high expression correlates with poor prognosis, late-stage disease, and altered immune cell infiltration 56. Pan-cancer analysis shows POC1A involvement in cell-cycle and immune-related pathways, making it a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target 7.