The present disclosure is in the field of genome engineering, particularly targeted modification of the genome of a cell.

Provided herein is a cytotoxic immune cell that is primed by and/or whose cytotoxicity within the tumor microenvironment is enhanced by binding to a stromal marker, e.g., Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha (FAP). In some embodiments, the cells may contain a protein circuit that contains at least two components, wherein one of the components binding-triggered transcriptional switch that is activated by binding to the stromal marker. The second component may be a nucleic acid encoding an immune receptor (e.g., a chimeric antigen receptor or TCR) that is activated by binding to a cancer-specific antigen and/or a pro-inflammatory cytokine.