Valentinos Kounnis
Director of Medical Oncology
Dr Valentinos Kounnis MD MSc PhD FRCP
Consultant Medical Oncologist (CCT, RCP UK) | Director of Medical Oncology
German Oncology Centre, Limassol, Cyprus
Dr Valentinos Kounnis is a Consultant Medical Oncologist and Director of the Medical Oncology Department at the German Oncology Centre in Limassol, Cyprus and brings a wealth of international experience in Oncology. Prior to this, he held a Consultant post at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – one of the UK’s leading cancer centres, where he also completed his specialist training in Medical Oncology.
With a strong commitment to evidence-based, compassionate patient-centred care, Dr Kounnis has developed clinical expertise in gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers, with special focus on colorectal and prostate malignancies integrating systemic anticancer treatment – chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted treatments – with supportive care. His approach to care is rooted in clinical excellence, scientific rigor and genuine compassion for patients and their families.
Dr Kounnis completed his specialist oncology training at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is dual-qualified, holding postgraduate degrees, MSc in Molecular Pathology and Toxicology from the University of Leicester, PhD in molecular oncology from the University of Ioannina and the Oxford University – Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine as an Academic Clinical Fellow. His doctoral and postdoctoral work have contributed to the research for development of targeted anticancer therapies and the understanding of tumour-specific mechanisms.
Over the past decade, Dr Kounnis has built a reputation as a dynamic oncologist. He has helped shape cancer services across the UK in translational research initiatives and served as an expert advisor to NHS England’s Central and South Cancer Genomics Improvement Project.
His academic portfolio includes peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, chapters in authoritative oncology texts and his research spans molecular oncology, biomarkers, translational science and personalised medicine. He has presented his work at major international conferences and contributed to national (UK) cancer genomics and international palliative care initiatives.
His academic and clinical trajectory have been consistently marked by excellence supported by prestigious awards. Early on, he was awarded a full Scholarship for his undergraduate Medical Training at the University of Ioannina by the Ministry of Education in Cyprus and a fully funded Bursary from Cancer Research UK for his MSc studies at the University of Leicester. During his Doctoral studies, he was awarded the Herakleitos II full Scholarship by the Hellenic Ministry of Education in Greece. His Academic Clinical Fellowship was through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He was also recently recognised by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for delivering Compassionate Excellence service to patients with prostate cancer (Staff Awards 2025).
A defining feature of Dr Kounnis’ career has been his commitment to innovation in cancer research infrastructure. As a founding member, he played a central role in establishing the Interscience Molecular Oncology Laboratory (iMOL) and the University of Ioannina Cancer Biobank Centre (UICBC). These initiatives laid the groundwork for impactful translational oncology research, encompassing novel therapeutic targets, biomarker development and biobanking protocols.
Committed to advancing the next generation of oncologists, Dr Kounnis is also deeply involved in medical education and training. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in London and maintains active memberships with leading professional bodies including amongst others the RCP (Royal College of Physicians), GMC (General Medical Council) and ESMO.
An advocate for continuous learning and service excellence, Dr Kounnis remains actively involved in medical education, clinical governance and international collaborations.
Bilingual in English and Greek, Dr Kounnis combines international training with local insight, offering patients a personalised, evidence-based approach to high-quality patient-centred compassionate cancer care underpinned by translational research within a multidisciplinary framework.
Dr Kounnis joins the German Oncology Centre aligned with its vision to provide exemplary, evidence-based cancer care tailored to the needs of Cyprus’ diverse and multicultural population. His appointment reflects a shared commitment to clinical excellence, compassion and equitable healthcare delivery.
Education / Academic Experience
FRCP (London) – Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians | 17 April 2025 |
Medical Oncology (Certificate of Completion of Training) – Royal College of Physicians UK | 14 September 2023 |
MRCP – Member of the Royal College of Physicians | 31 October 2017 |
PhD - University of Ioannina, Greece | Apr 2009 – Feb 2014 |
MSc (Molecular Pathology and Toxicology) – University of Leicester, UK | Sep 2007 – Aug 2008 |
Medical Degree – University of Ioannina, Greece | Sep 2001 – Sep 2007 |
Research (full time)
Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
Academic Clinical Fellow | The role of glycogen metabolism in the survival and proliferation of the cancer cell, and its role as a potential target for traditional or new treatments.
Aug 2016 – Aug 2017
|
Interscience Molecular Oncology Lab, Cancer Biobank Center, University of Ioannina, GR
Doctoral Thesis | The development of novel anticancer molecules capable of inhibiting the action of Protein Phosphatases 1 and 2A and with the ability to target cancer tumours which express Organic Anion Transporter polypeptides (OATPs) based on the structure of Microcystin LR Apr 2009 – Feb 2014 |
Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, UK
MSc | MSc thesis: “The in vitro regulation of MMP-7 gene expression in human macrophages by hypoxia and TLR ligands”.
Sep 2007 – Aug 2008 |
Teaching
· Regular postgraduate teaching and examination preparation:
Actively involved in structured teaching for PACES (Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills) candidates – the mandatory clinical examination for completion of Core Medical Training and entry to Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) in the UK – delivering both local hospital-based tutorials and intensive nationally led revision courses. Teaching focuses on clinical examination technique, diagnostic reasoning, communication skills and exam strategy.
· Undergraduate and postgraduate clinical teaching:
Dr Kounnis has delivered regular undergraduate and postgraduate clinical teaching throughout his specialty training and consultant career. This has included formal undergraduate teaching, bedside instruction, and tutorial-based sessions for medical students, junior doctors, registrars and nursing staff. Teaching has been delivered across a range of formats, including one-to-one supervision, ward-based practical teaching, small-group classroom sessions, and large-group lectures in auditorium settings, tailored to the learner’s level and clinical context.
· Supervision and mentoring in postgraduate education:
During his postgraduate career, Dr Kounnis has supervised and taught undergraduate students undertaking Master’s-level research projects, providing guidance on study design, data interpretation, academic writing and thesis preparation, as well as supporting students through the successful completion of their dissertations.
Professional Experience
Medical employment
Director of Medical Oncology | German Oncology Center | Limassol, Cyprus | June 2025 – to date |
Expert Advisor | Central and South Genomics | NHS England | October 2024 – March 2025 |
Consultant Medical Oncologist | Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT | Oxford, UK | January 2024 – to date |
Medical Oncology SpR (Training) | Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT | Oxford, UK | Aug 2019 – August 2023 |
Medical Oncology SpR (LAS) | The Christie Hospital NHS FT | Manchester, UK | Aug 2018 – Jul 2019 |
Medical Oncology SpR (Locum) | Northampton General Hospital | Northampton, UK | Apr 2018 – Jun 2018 |
ACF Medical Oncology (Core Medical Training) | Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT | Oxford, UK | Aug 2014 – Feb 2018 |
Foundation Year 2 | Queen’s Hospital Burton | Burton on Trent, UK | Aug 2013 – Aug 2014 |
Awards and Prizes
Awards and prizes
Prostate Cancer Team
Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT, Staff Recognition Awards 2025
| Awarded for Delivering Compassionate Excellence |
NIHR (National Institute of Health Research)
Awarded by the NIHR, 2014
| Academic Clinical Fellowship in Medical Oncology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT
|
“Heraklitos II” program of the Operational Program for Education and Initial Vocational Training of the Hellenic Ministry of Education under the 3rd Community Support Framework and the European Social Fund.
Awarded by the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Greece, 2010 | Awarded for academic excellence and research innovation and perspectives of the PhD program under the title “The development of novel anticancer molecules capable of inhibiting the action of Protein Phosphatases 1 and 2A and with the ability to target cancer tumours which express Organic Anion Transporter polypeptides (OATPs) based on the structure of Microcystin LR” |
Cancer Research UK bursary
Awarded by the CRUK, 2007 | Covering tuition fees for MSc course in Molecular Pathology and Toxicology plus a stipend for living expenses and books. Awarded after application and interview.
|
State scholarships Foundation of Cyprus
Awarded by the Ministry of Education, Cyprus | Annual stipend during the 6 year undergraduate studies at the School of Medicine, University of Ioannina Awarded due to the ‘Excellence’ performance in Lyceum |
Governance, Leadership and Management
Governance (Selected Audit & Quality Improvement Projects)
1. CGIP – Cancer Genomic Improvement Project. Regional for the Central and South Genomics NHSE (October 2024 – March 2025)
2. Audit “Tolerability and efficacy of pre-operative FLOT chemotherapy in patients with early stage Oesophago-gastric cancer at tertiary care unit” Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
3. QiP “Whole body MRI for staging of breast cancer” – initiated at Oxford University Hospitals
4. QiP “Adult Pip-Taz PGD (patient group direction)” – Initiated (final stages) at Oxford University Hospitals
5. Audit “Readmission rate for lung cancer patients within 30 day of their initial admission date” – Internal Audit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Completed in June 2020, presented in November 2021 due to COVID
Leadership and Management
1. Director of the Medical Oncology Department, German Oncology Center, Limassol, Cyprus. 2025 – to date
2. Managing and co-ordinating Prostate Cancer service waiting lists (Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT – January 2024 – May 2025)
3. SpR Spokesperson in Oxford University Hospitals Leads Meetings - Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT – (ST6 year), 2022 – 2023
4. SpR Representative in Medical Oncology Training Committee. Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT, 2022 – 2023
5. Writing and co-ordinating the Oncology Department CMDU rota (Covid Medicine Delivery Unit). Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT – 2023
6. Management and Leadership Course – University of Keele (March 2023)
7. Actively led key aspects of the establishment and operational setup of the Interscience Molecular Oncology Laboratory (iMOL) and the University of Ioannina Cancer Biobank Center (UICBC), including infrastructure planning, protocol development, and workflow implementation. University of Ioannina, Greece, 2009 – 2013
Publications
1. Cyanobacterial Cyclopeptides as Lead Compounds to Novel Targeted Cancer Drugs.
Sainis I, Fokas D, Vareli K, Tzakos AG, Kounnis V, Briasoulis E.
Marine Drugs, 2010. 8(3): p. 629-657
PMID: 20411119
2. Expression of organic anion-transporting polypeptides 1B3, 1B1 and 1A2 in human pancreatic cancer reveals a new class of potential therapeutic targets
Kounnis V, Ioachim E, Svoboda M, Tzakos A, Sainis I, Thalhammer T, Steiner G, Briasoulis E
Onco Targets Ther. 2011 Apr 8;4:27-32.
PMID: 21552413
3. Bcl2-interacting killer CpG methylation in multiple myeloma: a potential predictor of relapsed/refractory disease with therapeutic implications.
Hatzimichael E, Dasoula A, Kounnis V, Benetatos L, Lo Nigro C, Lattanzio L, Papoudou-Bai A, Dranitsaris G, Briasoulis E, Crook T.
Leuk Lymphoma. 2012 Sep;53(9):1709-13. Epub 2012 Mar 13
PMID: 22288719
4. Tumor-specific expression of organic anion-transporting polypeptides: transporters as novel targets for cancer therapy.
Buxhofer-Ausch V, Secky L, Wlcek K, Svoboda M, Kounnis V, Briasoulis E, Tzakos AG, Jaeger W, Thalhammer T.
J Drug Deliv. 2013;2013:863539
PMID: 23431456
5. Microcystin LR Shows Cytotoxic Activity Against Pancreatic Cancer Cells Expressing the Membrane OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 Transporters.
Kounnis V, Chondrogiannis G, Mantzaris MD, Tzakos AG, Fokas D, Papanikolaou NA, Galani V, Sainis I, Briasoulis E.
Anticancer Res. 2015 Nov;35(11):5857-65
PMID: 26504008
6. SLCO1B3 screening in colorectal cancer patients using High-Resolution Melting Analysis method and immunohistochemistry.
Evangeli L, Ioannis S, Valentinos K, Antigony M, Elli I, Eleftheria H, Vasiliki G, Evangelos B
Tumour Biol. 2017 Mar;39(3):1010428317691176
PMID: 28349822
7. KIT-associated familial GIST syndrome: response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and implications for risk management
Brodey A, Kounnis V, Hawkes L, Jones RL, McVeigh TP, Cojocaru E
Oncologist. 2022 Aug 5;27(8):615-620.
PMID: 35791894
8. The implementation of palliative care in Greece: a position paper by the Palliative Care Working Group of the Hellenic society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO)
Konstantis A, Paraskeva M, Avgoustidi M, Kiagia M, Kounnis V, Rovithi M, Alexaki M, Ardavanis A, Tsoukalas N, Agelaki S.
FCO AoP 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fco-2023-0038
9. Pembrolizumab in Patients With Advanced Clear Cell Gynecological Cancer: A Phase 2 Nonrandomized Clinical Trial
Kristeleit R, Devlin MJ, Clamp A, Gourley C, Roux R, Hall M, Nirsimloo R, Kounnis V, Sage L, Narayanan P, Herrington SC, Arora R, Farrelly L, Hughes L, Counsell N, Miller RE
JAMA Oncol. 2025 Apr 1;11(4):377-385.
PMID: 39913118
10. oDigital pathology biomarkers for guiding radiotherapy-based treatment concepts in prostate cancer - a systematic review and expert consensus
Zamboglou C, De Doncker W, Christoforou AT, Arcangeli A, Berlin A , Blanchard P, Bauman G, Campi R , Castro E, Choudhury A, Dal Pra A, Draulans C, Desai N, Ferentinos K, Francolini G, Gillessen S, Grosu AL, Rivas JG, Hoelscher T, Hruby G, Jereczek-Fossa BA, Kamran S, Kasivisvanathan V, Kishan AU, Kounnis V, Loblaw A , Martin J, Mastroleo F, Merseburger AS, Miszczyk M, Mohamad O, Ost P, Papatsoris A, Peeken JC, Sanguedolce F, Sargos P, Schmidt-Hegemann N, Seibert TM, Shelan M, Siva S, Soeterik TFW, Spratt DE, Stenzl A, Strouthos I, Sutera P, Supiot S, Tilki D, Tran PT, Tree AC, Tward J, Ürün Y, Vapiwala N, Waddle MR, Wegener E, Zilli T, Murthy V, Thieme AH, Spohn S.
Radiotherapy Oncol. Volume 210111039September 2025
PMID: 40645505
Book Chapters
1. Mental Health and Older People
Chapter 14 – Delirium
Negi R, Kounnis V
Springer, ISBN 978-3-319-29490-2
2. Principles of Translational Science in Medicine: From Bench to Bedside 3rd Edition
Chapter 15 – Biomarkers in oncology
Kounnis V, Cleland J, Azam F, Midgley R and Kerr DJ
Elsevier, ISBN 978-0-12-820493-1
3. Essentials of Physical Health in Psychiatry 2nd edition
Chapter 23 Cancer
Kounnis V, Tuthill M
Cambridge University Press, ISBN 9781911623205
4. Oxford Handbook of Colorectal Cancer
Adjuvant Treatment in Colorectal Cancer
Kounnis V, Kerr R
Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780192849991
Abstracts
1. Investigations on Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides 1A2, 1B1 and 1B3 in Colon Cancer as Potential Targets for Cancer Therapy
Kounnis V, Ioachim E, Svoboda M, Sainis I, Ausch C, Kallay E, Hamilton G, Thalhammer T, Briasoulis E
EJC, 2010. S8(7): p. 112 (Abstract)
2. Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides 1A2, 1B1 and 1B3 are widely expressed in gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers
Kounnis V, Ioachim E, Tzakos A, Galani V, Sainis I, Briasoulis E
Virchow’s Arch, 2011. S1(459): S323 (Abstract)
3. Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) Is Commonly Methylated in Multiple Myeloma
Hatzimichael E, Dasoula A, Kounnis V, Katsenos A, Crook T, Briasoulis E
Blood, 2012. 120 (21) : 4617 (Abstract)
4. Pancreatic cancer cells expressing the OATP1B3 transporter show promising sensitivity to the highly cytotoxic microcystin-LR molecule
Kounnis V, Chondrogiannis G, Mantzaris MD, Galani V, Tzakos AG, Fokas D, Papanikolaou NA, Sainis I, Briasoulis E
EJC, 2014. S6(50): p. 86 (Abstract)
5. Real-world analysis reveals benefit for adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel, oxaliplatin and fluorouracil/leucovorin (FLOT) is limited to those with tumour regression grade >2 in oesophago-gastric (OG) cancer
Hapuarachi B*, Lee R*, Khan A*, Ho A, Woodhouse L, Kounnis V, Britton F, Harrison I, Coyle J, Connors K , Billygrahammariam N, Weaver J, Waddell T, Hubner R , Kamposioras, Mansoor W
ASCO 2021 (Abstract)
1. Efficacy of Pembrolizumab Monotherapy (PM) for Advanced Clear Cell Gynaecological Cancer (CCGC): Phase II PEACOCC Trial
Kristeleit RS, Clamp A, Gourley C, Roux R, Hall M, Devlin M-J, Nirsimloo R, Kounnis V, Hughes L, Counsell N, Farrelly L, Miller RE.
ESMO 2022 (Mini Oral)
2. Older patients experience similar toxicity and survival outcomes to FLOT chemotherapy compared to younger patients
A.R. Lewis, B.S. Hapuarachi, A.A. Khan, F. Britton, N. Billy Graham Mariam, K. Connors, V. Kounnis, R. Lee, J.M.J. Weaver, K.V. Kamposioras, R. Hubner, T.S. Waddell, W. Mansoor
ESMO 2022 (Abstract)
Presentations
1. 23rd European Congress of Pathology, Helsinki, Finland 27.08.2011 - 01.09.2011
POSTER presentation “Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides 1A2, 1B1 and 1B3 are widely expressed in gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers”
2. 17th Hellenic Conference of Clinical Oncology, Athens, Greece 14.04.2011 – 16.04.2011
POSTER presentation “Expression of organic anion-transporting polypeptides 1B3, 1B1 and 1A2 in human pancreatic cancer reveals a new class of potential therapeutic targets” (in Greek)
3. 2011 Bi-annual Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society International Symposium, Limassol, Cyprus from 11-13 of March 2011
POSTER presentation “Expression of organic anion-transporting polypeptides 1B3, 1B1 and 1A2 in human pancreatic cancer reveals a new class of potential therapeutic targets”
4. 22nd EORTC-NCI-MCR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Berlin, Germany from the 16 -19 November 2010
POSTER presentation “Investigations on Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides 1A2, 1B1 and 1B3 in Colon Cancer as Potential Targets for Cancer Therapy”
5. 18th Postgraduate conference of Clinical Oncology, Heraklion, Crete, from 4 - 6 of November 2010.
ORAL presentation “OATPs in digestive system cancers. Data from a comprehensive investigation of an independent therapeutic target”
6. 26th EORTC-NCI-MCR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Barcelona, Spain from the 18 – 21 November 2014
POSTER presentation “Investigations on Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides 1A2, 1B1 and 1B3 in Colon Cancer as Potential Targets for Cancer Therapy”
7. Society for Endocrinology BES 2017, Harrogate Convention Center, UK. 06 – 08 November 2017
POSTER presentation “An assessment of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis post-pituitary surgery: can day 8 morning cortisol predict normal SST?”
8. Society for Endocrinology BES 2017, Harrogate Convention Center, UK. 06 – 08 November 2017
e-POSTER presentation “A rare case of SDHB mutation in a male individual with pituitary adenoma,and paraganglioma/phaeochromocytoma syndrome”
9. Royal College of Psychiatrists, Physical Health Update 2023, 10 November 2023 “Oncology. Recent advances”
Professional Memberships
Registrations/ Memberships/ Fellowships with Medical Bodies and other Organisations
· Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London) – since 2025
· Member of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh) – since 2017
· ESMO Member
· Full Registration with General Medical Council (with License to Practice), UK, 2008
· Member of the Medical Council of Ioannina (Greece) with License to Practice, Greece, 2007
· Member of the Limassol Medical Council, Cyprus as of 2010
· British Medical Association, UK, 2013
· Medical Defence Union, UK 2013