The invnetion provides an isolated placental stem cell, wherein said placental stem cell is resistant to anoikis, wherein said anokis resistant placental stem cell expresses at least one anoikis associated gene at a decreased level as compared to the expression of the same anoikis associated gene in an unmodified placental stem cell. The invention further provides an isolated population of said anoikis resistant cells as well as a method of producing said anoikis resistant cells. Further provided is a composition comprising said isolated anoikis resistant placental stem cells or cell populations.