The invention provides compositions and methods for treating leukemia, for example, acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The invention also relates to at least one chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to folate receptor beta (FRβ), vectors comprising the same, and recombinant T cells comprising the FRβ CAR. The invention also includes methods of administering a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAR that comprises a FRβ binding domain in combination with a RXR agonist, such as all-trans retinoic acid.