Human autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) transduced with a retroviral vector encoding a T cell receptor (TCR) specific for the cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon isolation, transduction, expansion ex vivo, and reintroduction into the patient, the NY-ESO-1 reactive TCR-transduced autologous PBLs bind to NY-ESO-1-overexpressing tumor cells. This may result in a specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) killing of NY-ESO-1-positive cancer cells. NY-ESO-1, a tumor associated antigen (TAA), is found in normal testis and on the surface of various tumor cell types; the TCR is specific for NY-ESO-1:157-165.