The present invention concerns compositions and methods related to approaches to render ineffective Th1 T cells resistant to the inhibitory cytokine milieu present in a cancer microenvironment. In particular embodiments, tumor-specific T cells are modified to employ a chimeric receptor that binds inhibitory/suppressive cytokines and converts their intracellular consequences to a Th1 immunostimulaotyr/activating signal. In specific embodiments, the T cells employ a chimeric antigen receptor having exodomains for IL10, IL13 and/or IL4 fused with the signal transducing endodomains for IL2 and/or IL7.