Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that predominately affects women. It is characterised by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, however, its course and organ involvement are unpredictable. Although over the last few decades an improvement in survival for SLE patients has been observed, pathogenic mechanisms underlying this disease are still unclear. Comorbidities, due to both disease and treatment, as well as multiple aspects of SLE, are under intensive investigation. Following the previous annual reviews of this series, we hereby provide a critical digest of the recent papers on SLE focusing on pathogenesis, clinical and laboratory features, as well as current and new therapeutic strategies published over the last year.