How far are we from the clinical use of placental-derived mesenchymal stem cells?

In recent years, multiple studies have investigated the biology and clinical applications of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), trying to define their markers, and elucidate their effects in animal models. MSCs are available from different tissues, and the use of placental-derived MSCs (PMSCs) for treating a variety of disorders is on the forefront. Herein, we discuss the most recent findings regarding the standardization of their isolation procedure and phenotype, along with advantages and limitations of their use. We also discuss the safety of the placental cell products, including the issue of senescence and mutagenesis of PMSCs, and efficacy from preclinical studies.