Abstract: Immune cells engineered to reduce or eliminate expression and/or the function of a NR4A, TOX, NR4A and a TOX or NR4A and a TOX with increasing expression of IL-21 in said cells are disclosed. Also cells engineered to inhibit expression and/or function of NFAT/AP-1 pathway are provided. Disclosed cells are T and NK cells. It can be expanded to create homogeneous or heterogenous cell populations and/or combined with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. It can be CAR cells. Methods to induce an immune response and treat conditions requiring selective immunotherapy, comprising contacting a target cell with the cells or compositions as described herein. The contacting can be performed in vitro or in vivo, thereby providing immunotherapy to a subject. Additionally presented herein are methods of producing such engineered cells. Kits containing the materials for making and using the cells are also provided.