Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly seen in clinical cases, is a systemic inflammatory disease of connective tissue, which involves multiple systems and organs. It is mainly characterized by a wide range of clinical complications, such as lupus nephritis, neuropsychiatric lupus, and SLE-related cardiovascular events, however, the pathogenesis of SLE has not yet been elucidated. Early diagnosis is of great significance in estimating the severity of SLE, disease activity, predicting relevant progression, supervising therapeutic effects, as well as, improving prognosis. This review will mainly focus on the research advances in clinical application of auto-antibodies and biomarkers previously and recently discovered in patients who has been suffered from SLE.