EXHIBIT 99.60




Contact:   Linda B. Preucil                       (AMEX) PHA
           Director of Business Relations         WWW.PACIFICPHARM.COM
           908/ 497-0160
           LBPreucil@aol.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 PACIFIC PHARMACEUTICALS LICENSES CHEMOSENSITIZER 
                                     FOR CANCER

   -RELATED COMPOUNDS AND TECHNOLOGIES TO OVERCOME CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE-

SAN DIEGO, CA, March 23, 1998 - Pacific Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced 
a worldwide exclusive license for O6 Benzyl Guanine (BG), a series of related 
compounds and technologies which enhance the effectiveness of a class of 
currently used chemotherapeutic agents (O6 alkylators).  Multiple Phase I 
human clinical trials conducted at the University of Chicago, Duke University 
Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University are nearing completion in 
different cancer types, including brain, colon and renal carcinoma.  These 
technologies are licensed to Pacific from Pennsylvania State University on 
behalf of itself, National Institutes of Health and other universities.

Pre-clinical animal data show that treatment with BG results in increased 
survival and heightens the anti-tumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents. 
The Company's collaborators believe that BG works by inactivating the DNA 
repair protein AGT (O6 alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase) present in tumor 
cells and known to be a significant source of resistance to treatment with 06 
alkylating agents.  Studies led by Pugh Scholar Dr. Anthony E. Pegg and his 
team have shown a correlation between low levels of the repair protein AGT in 
tumors and enhanced responsiveness to treatment.  

 "O6 Benzylguanine has the potential to enhance the activity of O6 alkylating 
agents in drug resistant cancers.  This is particularly exciting because 
cancer resistance to these alkylating agents has been a major problem for 
their efficacy," commented Dr. David Golde, Physician-in-Chief, Sloan 
Kettering Cancer Center and Chairman of Pacific's Scientific Advisory Board. 

"This novel class of compounds has the potential to expand the indications 
for O6 alkylating agents to other cancers," stated H. Laurence Shaw, M.D., 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  Pacific Pharmaceuticals, 
Inc. is actively engaged in the development of cancer therapies, and is 
preparing to enter Phase I/II human clinical trials this year with its 
proprietary photodynamic therapy compound BOPP for the treatment of brain 
cancer, and a proprietary Cancer Immunotherapy for the treatment of 
metastatic breast cancer. The Company manages products through pre-clinical, 
clinical development and regulatory approval to position them for successful 
commercialization.



The terms of the license agreement include payments for royalties, license 
fees and milestone payments to be paid in cash or common stock of the 
Company. Paramount Capital Investments, LLC ("Paramount") acted as financial 
advisor to the Company in connection with the identification, negotiation and 
consummation of the license and will receive a fee in cash and securities 
vesting upon achievement of certain performance based events.  Paramount is 
affiliated with certain significant shareholders and a Director of the 
Company.

THIS NEWS RELEASE CONTAINS FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS.  THE ACTUAL RESULTS 
COULD VARY FROM THOSE EXPECTED DUE TO A VARIETY OF RISKS SET FORTH FROM TIME 
TO TIME IN THE COMPANY'S FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, 
INCLUDING THE COMPANY'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3, AS DECLARED 
EFFECTIVE ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1997.  THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO 
PUBLICLY RELEASE THE RESULTS OF ANY OF THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH 
MAY BE MADE TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE DATE HEREOF OR TO 
REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS.