Placenta’s Promise in Oncology: A Double-Edged Sword Between Regeneration and Tumorigenesis

Abstract

The integration of placental and cancer biology offers a powerful framework for advancing gene therapy, a leading edge in regenerative medicine. Both the placenta and tumours share key biological processes, such as tissue invasion, angiogenesis, immune modulation, and cellular plasticity. It provides a rich foundation for therapeutic innovation. This chapter explores how insights from placental biology can enhance cancer research and vice versa, creating new avenues for precise gene therapies targeting shared molecular pathways. By using these parallels, gene therapy can be refined to address conditions like placental dysfunction and cancer more effectively. The chapter also examines the challenges of translating this integrated knowledge into clinical practice, from ensuring specificity in molecular targeting to overcoming delivery and scalability hurdles. The global health implications are profound, offering the potential to meet unmet medical needs and reduce healthcare disparities. This interdisciplinary approach not only steers scientific discovery but also paves the way for transformative treatments accessible to diverse populations. By merging insights from placental and cancer biology, this chapter envisions a future where gene therapy revolutionises disease management, offering hope across the globe.