EXHIBIT 23.1

               Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditor


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) of Cell Therapeutics, Inc. for the
registration of 6,148,087 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated February 12, 1999, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Cell Therapeutics, Inc. included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



Seattle, Washington
December 29, 1999