Purpose: CD169 was first identified on macrophages (Mf) and linked to antigen presentation. Here, we showed CD169 expression on some CD8 C T lymphocytes in regional lymph nodes (LNs) and investigated the function and clinical relevance of CD169 C CD8 C T cells in tumor-draining LNs of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Experimental design: Fresh tumor-draining LN tissues from 39 randomly enrolled patients were assessed by flow cytometry for activation and differentiation of CD169 C CD8 C T cells and T cell-mediated killing of tumor cells. In total, 114 tumor-draining LN paraffin sections from CRC patients were analyzed by multiplecolor immunofluorescence for CD169 C CD8 C T cell distribution and clinical values. The prognostic significance of CD169 C CD8 C T cells was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: A fraction of CD8 C T cells in regional LNs, but not peripheral blood, tonsils, or tumors, expressed surface CD169. In situ detection of draining LNs revealed preferential localization of CD169 C CD8 C T cells to subcapsular sinus and interfollicular regions, closely associated with CD169 C Mf. CD169 C CD8 C T cell ratios were significantly lower in peri-tumor LNs than distant-tumor LNs. CD169 C CD8 C T cells predominantly expressed activation markers (CD69, HLA-DR, PD-1) with slightly lower CD45RA and CD62L levels. They produced high granzyme B, perforin, TNF-a, and IFNg levels, and promoted tumor-killing efficiency ex vitro. Moreover, CD169 C CD8 C T cells infiltrating tumor-draining LNs decreased with disease progression and were strongly associated with CRC patient survival. Conclusions: We identified novel activated/cytolytic CD169 C CD8 C T cells selectively present in regional LNs, potentially serving as a powerful prognostic factor and indicator for selecting patients for immunotherapy.