The present invention relates to a method for expansion of T cells. The method comprises the steps of : (i) culturing a T cell in the presence of a phorbol ester, a divalent ionophore, and optionally one or more protein transport inhibitors; and (ii) culturing the T cell in the presence of an agent capable of activating CD3 and/or an agent capable of activating CD28. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a device, preferably a device having a nanostructured surface that comprises or consists of an array of nanoparticles (NPs), wherein an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide is attached on the interparticle area of the surface of the device and CD3 and/or CD28 activating agents are immobilized on the surface of the NPs. The present invention also relates to the use of said device for T cell expansion. Finally, also T cells obtainable or obtained with a method for T cell expansion according to the present invention and/or compositions comprising said T cells as well as medical uses thereof are provided.