New frontiers in placenta stem cell research, translation, and clinical application

After birth the placenta retires from its vital role during pregnancy and is usually discarded as nothing more than biological waste. Nonetheless, just over a decade ago several scientists and researchers, some of whom are the founders of the International Placenta Stem Cell Society (IPLASS), had the notion that, placental tissues (including amniotic membrane, chorion, cord tissue), could potentially harbor cells with stem cell properties and therapeutic potential. Since then, scientific research has significantly progressed. Not only we are beginning to understand the mechanisms through which placental cells and their derived factors exert their therapeutic actions in different preclinical models, but we are also investigating their safety and efficacy in different clinical trials.