A growing evidence base indicates the presence of IL-17+ CD8+ T cells at sites of inflammation in humans. These cells bear resemblance to their IL-17+ CD4+ T cell counterparts in terms of phenotypic markers and cytokine co-expression typically associated with Th17 cells. The exact requirements for differentiation and/or polarisation of IL-17+ CD8+ T cells are less well-defined, particularly in humans. Future in-depth phenotypic, molecular and functional characterisation of these cells will help determine how IL-17+ CD8+ T cells may contribute to human inflammatory disease.