<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

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    <periodOfReport>2015-09-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000891293</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CTI BIOPHARMA CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ctic</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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            <rptOwnerCik>0001204264</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SINGER JACK W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3101 WESTERN AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEATTLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98121</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Global Medical Affairs</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Louis A. Bianco, Attorney-in-fact  For: Jack W. Singer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-10-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
