Abstract: The present invention discloses populations of T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), wherein said T cells are placental T cells derived from cord blood, placental perfusate, or a mixture thereof. Such populations of cells are shown to be improved in a number of aspects over alternative populations of cells such as those derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cell T cells. It also discloses methods of treating cancer, such as a hematologic cancer, e.g., a B cell cancer, or a symptom thereof in a patient in need thereof. These methods comprise administering to the patient an amount of the population of T cells of any one of the invention effective to alleviate the cancer or symptom thereof in the patient.