HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) continue to impact patients despite antiretroviral therapy. A combination of antiretroviral therapies can diminish the HIV viral load to near undetectable levels, but fails to preserve neurocognitive integrity. The cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has shown neuroprotective properties that could mitigate neurodegeneration in HANDs. The LIF promotes neurogenesis, neural cell differentiation, and survival. Combination antiretroviral therapy reduces severe forms of HANDs, but neurocognitive impairment persists; additionally, some antiretrovirals have additional adverse neurotoxic effects. The LIF counteracts neurotoxic viral proteins and limits neural cell damage in models of neuroinflammation. Adding the LIF as an adjuvant therapy to enhance neuroprotection merits further research for managing HANDs. The successful implementation of the LIF to current therapies would contribute to achieving a better quality of life for the affected population.
Keywords: HAND; HIV; LIF; neurocognitive disorders; neuroprotection.