The present invention concerns methods and compositions related to T cells redirected against CD70 for the immunotherapy of CD70-positive malignancies. In aspects of the invention, T cells that are CD70-specific are employed. In particular aspects, there are T cells expressing a novel molecule that comprises the full-length CD70 receptor (CD27) fused to the zeta signaling domain of the T-cell receptor complex. Such T cells recognized CD70-positive tumor cells and have cytolytic activity against CD70-positive cancer cells.