EXHIBIT 5.1

                 [WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI LETTERHEAD]

November 7, 2001


Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
201 Elliott Avenue West, #400
Seattle, Washington 98119

     RE: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We are acting as counsel for Cell Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of 5.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes due June 15, 2008 (the "Notes"), and
such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock, no par value (the "Common
Stock"), of the Company, as may be required for issuance upon conversion of the
Notes (the "Conversion Shares"). The Notes and the Conversion Shares are to be
offered and sold by certain securityholders of the Company (the "Selling
Securityholders"). In this regard we have participated in the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to the Notes and the Conversion
Shares (such Registration Statement, as it may be amended from time to time, is
herein referred to as the "Registration Statement").


     We are of the opinion that the Notes have been duly authorized and are
binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture
dated as of June 13, 2001, between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust
Company of California, N.A., as trustee. We are of the further opinion that the
Conversion Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued by the Company upon
conversion of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture, will be legally
issued, fully paid and nonassessable. We hereby consent to the filing of this
opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name
under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus included therein.


                  Sincerely,

                  /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
                  WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION