Exhibit 5.1

                                 March 23, 2000

Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
201 Elliott Avenue West, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98119

  Re: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have examined the registration statement on Form S-3 filed by Cell
Therapeutics, Inc., a Washington corporation (the "Company"), with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of up to 3,450,000 shares of the
Company's common stock (including an over-allotment of up to 450,000 shares of
the Company's common stock granted to the underwriters) (the "Shares"). The
Shares are to be sold to the underwriters for resale to the public as described
in the registration statement and pursuant to the underwriting agreement filed
as an exhibit thereto. (Such Registration Statement, as amended, and including
any registration statement related thereto and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act (a "Rule 462(b) registration statement") is herein
referred to as the "Registration Statement.")

As legal counsel to the Company, we have examined the proceedings proposed to
be taken in connection with said sale and issuance of the Shares. Based upon
the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued in the manner
described in the Registration Statement, will be duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable. We consent to the use of this opinion as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and further consent to the use of our
name wherever appearing in the Registration Statement, including the prospectus
constituting a part thereof, and any amendment thereto.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation