SCENIC analysis further revealed that this differentiation pathway is orchestrated by <i>ETS1</i>, <i>PRDM1</i> and <i>STAT1</i> driven regulatory network, which is markedly induced following PD-1 inhibition to enhance metabolic fitness and cellular recruitment.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study characterizes CX3CR1<sup>+</sup>CD8<sup>+</sup>T cells as a key effector subset predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in colorectal cancer. Here, ETS1 is linked to colorectal cancer.