About

Georges Jabboure Netto is the Simon-Flexner Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and serves as the Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a faculty member within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, with his contact information listed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Netto earned his M.D. from Damascus University in Syria in 1985. His professional focus includes pathology and laboratory medicine, with a significant role in leading research and education within his department.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Pathology
• Oncology
• Gynecology
• Radiology
• Biology
• Intensive care medicine
• Immunology
• Cancer research
• Urology

Selected publications

• p53 Is a Master Regulator of Proteostasis in SMARCB1-Deficient Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors

  Cancer Cell · 2026-01-31

  article
  PublisherDOI

• The evolution of prostate cancer grading: from Gleason score to risk taxonomy and the artificial intelligence revolution

  Archiv für Pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie und für Klinische Medicin · 2026-05-12

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Divergent effects of PLA2G7 on prostate cancer biochemical recurrence in European American and African American men

  JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute · 2026-02-06

  article

  BACKGROUND: Identification and characterization of prostate tumor markers differentially expressed in European American (EA) men vs. African American (AA) men has been one of the focus areas positioned to understand and address prostate cancer disparity in the US. While some genes are differentially expressed, validation studies are limited, and the impact of these expression differences on recurrence risk remains unclear. METHODS: This study focused on phospholipase A2 group 7 (PLA2G7) in prostate cancer surgical specimens from EA and AA patients. A nested case-control study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of the PLA2G7 protein while controlling for age, stage, and Gleason, followed by re-analysis of a published dataset of 556 EA and 596 AA prostate cancer patients. Expression signatures correlated with PLA2G7 were investigated in both patient populations. RESULTS: PLA2G7 was more frequently overexpressed in EA tumors than AA tumors, and higher tumor-specific PLA2G7 expression was associated with divergent outcomes lower biochemical recurrence risk in EA men but elevated risk in AA men. Expression in non-cancer tissues showed no prognostic value. While androgen response signatures were consistently enriched in high-PLA2G7 tumors across both groups, immune and inflammatory response gene sets showed opposite enrichment trends between AA and EA men. CONCLUSION: This study represents the first identification and validation of a tumor-specific marker that is both differentially expressed between prostate cancers in AA and EA men and demonstrates opposite prognostic effects based on self-reported race/ethnicity. The findings emphasize the importance of evaluating prostate tumor markers across diverse geographic ancestries.

  PublisherDOI

• Interplay of PD-L1, FOXP3, and CD8 in the Immune Microenvironment of Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Expression Profiles and Correlations

  International Journal of Surgical Pathology · 2025-09-04

  article

  Background: This study investigates the interplay between PD-L1, FOXP3+ regulatory T cells, and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in penile squamous cell carcinoma (penile SCC), where understanding the tumor immune microenvironment is crucial. Methods: We analyzed 108 penile SCC specimens using tissue microarrays (528 spots). Immunohistochemistry was performed for PD-L1, FOXP3, and CD8. Expression was quantified in tumor and stromal compartments, and correlated with clinicopathological features including histological grade, HPV-associated morphology, and host inflammatory response. Results: PD-L1 in tumor cells positively correlated with intratumoral CD8+ (rho = 0.408, P < .001) and FOXP3+ T cells (rho = 0.293, P = .009). Peritumoral FOXP3+ and CD8+ T cells also showed a strong correlation (rho = 0.753, P < .001). Higher PD-L1 and intratumoral CD8+ were associated with higher histological grade ( P < .001). HPV-associated morphology correlated with higher PD-L1 ( P < .001) but lower FOXP3+ infiltration ( P < .001). Intense inflammatory response was associated with increased peritumoral FOXP3+ and CD8+ T cells ( P < .001). Conclusions: The immune microenvironment of penile SCC involves complex interactions among PD-L1, FOXP3+, and CD8+, and was significantly influenced by histological grade, HPV status, and inflammation. The strong co-localization of peritumoral regulatory and cytotoxic T cells suggests a critical regulatory axis. These findings highlight distinct immune profiles within penile SCC, offering insights for developing tailored immunotherapeutic strategies.

  PublisherDOI

• The Dublin International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Consensus Conference on Best Practice Recommendations on the Pathology of Urachal Neoplasms

  The American Journal of Surgical Pathology · 2025-06-05 · 10 citations

  articleOpen access

  This manuscript summarizes the first part of the proceedings of the 2023 Dublin ISUP Consensus Conference encompassing the best practice recommendations on the pathology of neoplasms of urachal origin. The rationale for convening this consensus conference was the lack of structured and consented histopathologic recommendations in these rare tumors. Consensus among the meeting participants (n=80) was reached on the following statements: (1) combination of gross, histologic, clinical and imaging findings with exclusion of secondary tumor metastasis are to be used in the diagnosis of urachal carcinoma; (2) the 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) separate criteria for the diagnosis of urachal adenocarcinoma and for nonglandular carcinoma should be applied; (3) specific elements are to be evaluated and recorded in the gross examination of resection specimens containing urachal tumors; (4) sampling considerations for resection specimens containing urachal tumors are advised; (5) participants are against using 5% or 10% cutoff for the extent of intraepithelial carcinoma in urachal mucinous cystic tumor of low malignant potential; (6) use of immunohistochemical markers for the differential diagnosis of urachal adenocarcinomas in transurethral resection (TUR) specimen is considered optional; (7) similar tumor classificatory (nosology) rules for carcinomas arising from bladder mucosa (eg, urothelial carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and neuroendocrine carcinoma) should be applied for nonglandular urachal carcinomas; (8) a new staging approach other than the previously proposed systems should be designed for urachal carcinoma; (9) a system modifying the current Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM)/American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for urinary bladder cancer is considered appropriate for a study in urachal carcinoma; and (10) several histologic elements are to be reported when diagnosing urachal carcinoma in TUR and resection specimens. This report from the Dublin ISUP consensus conference will serve as a practice recommendation for pathologists and as a guide for future standardized reporting protocols and research regarding urachal tumors. In addition, an international database for urachal cancers under the guidance of ISUP is being planned to be established to address pertinent issues in the pathology of urachal cancers.

  PublisherDOI

• 893 Interobserver Reproducibility of Pelvicalyceal Invasion in Renal Cell Carcinomas Among Genitourinary Pathologists

  Laboratory Investigation · 2025-03-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Characterization of CD8+ and FOXP3+ T-Cell Ratios in Tumor and Stromal Compartments of Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Analysis Across Histologic Subtypes and Grades

  International Journal of Surgical Pathology · 2025-09-12

  article

  Background The balance between CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells within the tumor microenvironment is crucial in cancer progression. This study aimed to characterize CD8+/FOXP3+ T-cell ratios in tumor and stromal compartments of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) across different histologic subtypes and grades. Methods This retrospective study analyzed 1 tissue microarray block (144 spots from 35 patients). CD8 and FOXP3 immunohistochemistry was performed. Ratios of CD8+/FOXP3+ T cells per high-power field were categorized as CD8 > FOXP3 or CD8 ≤ FOXP3 in tumor and stromal compartments. Associations with histologic subtype (including WHO classification) and grade were examined. Results Seventy-nine spots (55%), representing 23 unique patients, were evaluable. Median intratumoral CD8+ and FOXP3+ counts were 5 and 4 per high-power field, respectively. Stromal median counts were 22 (CD8+) and 38 (FOXP3+) per high-power field. No statistically significant associations were found between CD8+/FOXP3+ ratios and histologic grade in either tumor ( P = .529) or stromal compartments ( P = .660). Similarly, no significant associations were observed with histologic subtype, though a non-significant trend ( P = .09) was noted between stromal ratio and subtype. Conclusions This study characterized CD8+ and FOXP3+ T-cell infiltrates and their ratios in penile SCC, revealing distinct patterns between tumor and stromal compartments. In this cohort, significant associations with histologic grade or subtype were not observed. These findings underscore the need for larger, prospective studies incorporating HPV status and clinical outcomes to elucidate the role of these immune ratios.

  PublisherDOI

• Author response for "Interplay of PD-L1, FOXP3, and CD8 in the Immune Microenvironment of Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Expression Profiles and Correlations"

  2025-06-01

  peer-review
  PublisherDOI

• Novel, emerging and provisional renal entities: The Genitourinary Pathology Society (GUPS) update on renal neoplasia

  UNC Libraries · 2025-05-13

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Analysis of CD8 and FOXP3 Expression Ratios in Tumor and Stromal Compartments of Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma Across Different Subtypes and Grades

  medRxiv · 2025-01-12

  preprintOpen access

  ABSTRACT Background Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) remains a relatively rare but formidable malignancy, especially in regions with limited access to preventive measures. The tumor microenvironment (TME) –specifically, the balance between CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs)– has emerged as a pivotal determinant of tumor progression and immune evasion. This study aimed to evaluate CD8+/FOXP3+ ratios in both tumor and stromal compartments across different PSCC subtypes and grades. Methods This retrospective study analyzed tissue microarray (TMA) samples from 108 patients with invasive PSCC. Immunohistochemical staining for CD8+ and FOXP3+ was performed. Tumor and stromal compartments were assessed separately. Ratios of CD8+/FOXP3+ were categorized as CD8 > FOXP3 or CD8 ≤ FOXP3. Associations with histologic subtype and grade were examined using Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact tests, with Cramér’s V indicating effect size. Results Eighty TMA spots (15.2% of the total) had quantifiable data for both markers. We observed a significant association between CD8+/FOXP3+ ratio and histologic grade in both tumor (P=0.03) and stromal compartments (P=0.02), with moderate effect sizes (Cramér’s V ~ 0.3). Although no statistically significant associations emerged for histologic subtype, effect size measures suggested potential immune-infiltration differences across subtypes. Descriptive analyses indicated that tumor compartments often contained fewer T cells overall, while stromal areas demonstrated robust infiltration patterns. Conclusions Tumor grade appears to influence the relative infiltration of cytotoxic and regulatory T cells in PSCC, underscoring the need for compartment-specific immune profiling. These observations highlight the potential utility of CD8+/FOXP3+ ratios as prognostic markers and in guiding future immunotherapeutic strategies. Prospective studies incorporating larger cohorts and HPV stratification could further clarify the immunobiology of PSCC and inform personalized treatment approaches.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Angelo M. De Marzo

  364 shared

• Jonathan I. Epstein

  Johns Hopkins Medicine

  322 shared

• Alcides Chaux

  Universidad del Sol

  247 shared

• Roula Albadine

  223 shared

• Jessica Hicks

  208 shared

• Rajni Sharma

  183 shared

• Trinity J. Bivalacqua

  University of Pennsylvania

  168 shared

• Michael A. Carducci

  166 shared

Education

• Urologic Pathology Fellowship

  Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

  1994

• MD

  Damascus University

  1985