Patent ID: 7144575

Claim:
A method for expanding a population of CD8 + T cells in number of from about 100 to about 100,000 fold over the original CD8 + T cell population or to about 10 log 10 to 12 log 10 , comprising; a) contacting a population of CD8 + T cells with a surface comprising 1) an anti-CD3 antibody or a CD-3-binding fragment thereof; and 2) a second agent which stimulates a CD28 antigen, wherein the second agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-CD28 antibody or a CD28-binding fragment thereof, B7-1 or a CD28-binding fragment thereof, B7-2 or a CD28-binding fragment thereof, a B7-1Ig fusion protein that interacts with CD28 and a B7-2Ig fusion protein that interacts with CD28, wherein said anti-CD3 antibody or CD3-binding fragment thereof, and said second agent are attached on the same surface; b) adding exogenous IL-2 to the population of CD8 + T cells, such that the population of CD8 + T cells increase in number from about 100 to about 100,000 fold over the original CD8 + T cell population or to about 10 log 10 to 12 log 10 .