# HIV-associated sensory neuropathy: current progress and future challenges

## TL;DR

This paper reviews the current understanding and challenges in treating HIV-associated sensory neuropathy, highlighting the need for better treatments and research.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of recent developments and challenges in managing HIV-associated sensory neuropathy.

## Key findings

- No FDA-approved treatments exist for HIV-associated sensory neuropathy.
- Adjusting antiretroviral therapy is a primary management strategy.
- Research is needed to understand the mechanisms of HIV-SN for better treatment.

## Abstract

Currently, no US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments exist to manage HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) and management is largely confined to adjusting antiretroviral therapy (ART) doses and medications. Thus, this urgent health crisis requires strong research commitment to identify a cure or palliative treatment. This review explores the current state-of-the-art related to HIV-SN. It first explores recent developments in the understanding of HIV-SN, emphasizing the importance of developments in the HIV-SN mouse model and non-myelination intra epidermal never fiber denervation. Next, the neurotoxic side effects of ART are summarized. Finally, we explore the interactions and synergy between HIV-SN and ART in the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy. While the overall mortality related to HIV has decreased significantly in recent decades, further elucidation of the exact mechanisms of HIV-SN is needed to better treat patients living with HIV as a chronic condition.