Abstract: Human annexin A5 has been widely used in in vitro detection of apoptosis and also has potential value in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and inflammatory diseases. Annexin A5 has various biological functions and promising application potential, ranging from binding to phosphatidylserine to apoptosis detection, further to participating in membrane repair, inflammation and anticoagulation, and from participating in the occurrence and development of diseases to in vivo imaging of apoptosis, further to in vivo therapy or mediating in vivo targeted therapy, etc. In conclusion, annexin A5 has shown important applications in in vitro diagnosis, clinical diagnosis and treatment. The recent progresses in the study of the structure characteristics, functions and mechanisms as well as clinical applications of annexin A5 were summarized, and the current difficulties and future prospects were also discussed and analyzed.