The invention relates to a method for generation of T cell preparations that are specific for at least one target antigen, comprising the steps of expanding lymphoid cells in vitro in the presence of a target antigen or peptide fragments thereof in an expansion step, isolating cells that secrete interferon gamma and culturing, the cells in the presence of interleukin 2 and interleukin 7 and either an inhibitor of the mTOR Complex 1, or in the presence of an inhibitor of IL-2/IL-2R interaction. The invention further relates to preparations obtained by the method of the invention.