A cytotoxic (or T_C) T cell is a T cell (a type of white blood cell) which has on its surface antigen receptors that can bind to fragments of antigens displayed by the Class I MHC molecules of virus infected somatic cells and tumor cells.

Once activated by a MHC-antigen complex, T_C cells release the protein perforin, which forms pores in the target cell's plasma membrane; this causes ions and water to flow into the target cell, making it expand and eventually lyse. T_C also release granzyme, a serine protease, that can enter target cells via the perforin-formed pore and induce apoptosis (cell death).

Most T_C cells have present on the cell surface the protein CD8 , which is attracted to portions of the Class I MHC molecule. This affinity keeps the T_C cell and the target cell bound closely together during antigen-specific activation. T_C cells with CD8 surface protein are called CD8+ T cells.