<PAGE>
[LETTERHEAD OF CTI]
August 27, 1996
VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS
- -------------------
Letty G. Lynn
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Stop 7-7
Washington D.C. 20549
Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-1
File No. 333-4154
-----------------
Dear Ms. Lynn:
Reference is made to the above-referenced registration statement filed on April
26, 1996. Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Registrant") has abandoned its proposed
initial public offering of 4,025,000 shares of Common Stock proposed to be
registered thereunder and, as of the date hereof, has no plans to offer such
securities to the public in the foreseeable future. Pursuant to Rule 447(a)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant hereby requests
that the Securities and Exchange Commission find the withdrawal of the
above-referenced registration statement consistent with the public interest
and the protection of investors and consent to such withdrawal. The Registrant
further request that, pursuant to Rule 477(c), an order with the date of the
granting of such withdrawal be included in the file for the above-referenced
registration statement in the following manner: "Withdrawn upon the consent of
the registrant, the Commission consenting thereto." Please call our counsel,
Michael J. Kennedy ((415) 616-1248) or Michael S. Dorf ((415) 616-1246) of
Shearman & Sterling if you have any questions with respect to the foregoing.
Very truly yours,
/s/ James A. Bianco
James A. Bianco, M.D.
President & Chief Executive Officer
