Abstract: Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5), as a class of key transcription factors, plays an important role in regulating the function of the human immune system. By regulating the expression of cytokines and chemokines, IRF5 can affect the inflammatory response of a variety of immune cells. Many studies have shown that the dysfunction of IRF5 is closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and that IRF5 also plays an important role in the malignant transformation of tumors and immune regulation. It has become a high-profile therapeutic target in the field of drug research and development. However, it is still challenging to develop drugs to precisely intervene in the IRF5 pathway. This review deeply discusses the important role of IRF5 in regulating immune cell function, and systematically reviews the existing intervention methods targeting IRF5, in order to provide some reference for the development of IRF5 inhibitors for the treatment of immune diseases in the future.