Method for activating and expanding nkt-like cells in vitro

A method for activating and expanding NKT-like cells in vitro, comprising the steps of:

• 1) providing and culturing lymphocytes obtained from a first subject;
• 2) providing nucleated somatic cells obtained from a second subject;
• 3) adding the nucleated somatic cells of the second subject to the culture of the lymphocytes of the first subject, and continuously culturing the resulting mixed culture for a period sufficient to expand the number of the lymphocytes by at least 10 to 1000 times;
• and
• 4) sorting out NKT-like cells or a subpopulation rich in NKT-like cells from the lymphocytes;
• wherein the NKT-like cells express CD8 molecule on their cell surface, and the nucleated somatic cells express immune co-stimulatory molecules on their cell surface;
• the second subject and the first subject are allogeneic or heterogeneous mammals.