A chimeric antigen receptor containing (i) a single chain Fv that specifically binds to stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 and (ii) an endodomain from CD3ζ or FcεRIγ. Also provided is a nucleic acid encoding the chimeric antigen receptor and an expression vector that contains the nucleic acid operably linked to a promoter that is active in T cells. Furthermore, two similar methods for treating a tumor are disclosed. The first method includes (i) obtaining T cells from a subject, (ii) transducing the T cells in vitro with an expression vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor that contains an scFv specifically recognizing stage-specific embryonic antigen 4, (iii) expanding the transduced T cells in vitro, and (iv) infusing the expanded transduced T cells into the subject. The second method includes, in place of step (ii) above, transducing the T cells in vitro with an expression vector encoding a chimeric antigen receptor that is specific for a tumor antigen other than stage-specific embryonic antigen 4, and further requires a step of administering an antibody against stage-specific embryonic antigen 4.
