This special issue provides a comprehensive overview of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It covers the latest research on the disease’s genetic predisposition, immune system involvement, and the production of autoantibodies leading to organ damage. The issue highlights recent progress in understanding SLE’s complex pathogenesis and the development of targeted therapies. It also looks forward to future treatments that could move beyond current standards of care, potentially offering cures for this severe autoimmune disease