There were 76 SNPs linked with NK cell relevant immune traits in this study (Additional file 1: Table 1 and Additional file 2),Interestingly, CD8+NKT cells and CD16−CD56 on NK cells exhibited negative correlation with hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting a protective effect of CD8+NKT cells and CD16−CD56 on NK cells on HCC. Here, CD8A is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.