A preparation of autologous peripheral blood T-lymphocytes (PBTL) that have been genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) consisting of an anti-CD19 scFv (single chain variable fragment); an extracellular portion of human CD28 and the entire transmembrane and cytoplasmic portion of human CD28; and the cytoplasmic portion of the human TCR-[zeta] molecule with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, anti-CD19-CAR retroviral vector-transduced autologous T cells may stimulate host cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and antibody responses against CD19-expressing tumor cells, resulting in tumor cell lysis. CD19 antigen is a B-cell specific cell surface antigen expressed in all B-cell lineage malignancies. CD3 zeta is one of several membrane-bound polypeptides found in the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex and regulates the assembly of complete TCR complexes and their expression on the cell surface. CD28 is essential for CD4+ T-cell proliferation, interleukin-2 production, and T-helper type-2 (Th2) development.