This study aimed to investigate the densities of HIF-1α-expressing tumor cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells in the primary tumors of NSCLC patients, and to assess their associations with lymph node metastasis and postoperative recurrence.<h4>Methods</h4>256 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor specimens from NSCLC patients who underwent radical resection at Shandong First Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018 were retrospectively collected. Here, CD8A is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.