The expression levels of <i>CD160</i>, <i>MERTK</i>, and <i>IL15</i> were correlated with immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment in GC.<h4>Conclusions</h4>We identified three novel SNPs in NK cell-related genes that independently predict GC survival, providing potential prognostic biomarkers for risk stratification in GC, although further validation is warranted. This evidence concerns the gene IL15 and gastric cancer.