Here we measured the panel of 13 inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IFN-α, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, IL-23, and IL-33 by multiplex cytokine assays using flow cytometry, verified the sensitivity and specificity, and compared the performance of these cytokines with conventional biomarkers (C3, C4, and anti-dsDNA) to predict SLE flare. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and systemic lupus erythematosus.