A preparation of autologous T lymphocytes that have been genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that targets the human tumor associated antigen (TAA) CD19, with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, autologous anti-CD19 CAR-expressing T lymphocytes bind to and induce selective toxicity against CD19-expressing tumor cells. CD19 antigen is a B-cell specific cell surface antigen expressed in all B-cell lineage malignancies.