Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly extended the lifespan of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), thereby transforming the disease into a manageable chronic condition. However, this increased longevity has led to a higher incidence of non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs) among this population. In this holistic review, we explore the complex interactions between HIV, ART, and cancer development, focusing on how ART influences tumor initiation and progression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Our findings from this reveal several critical aspects of cancer risk in PLWHA. Firstly, while ART restores immune function, it does not fully normalize it. Chronic immune activation and persistent inflammation continue to be prevalent, creating a conducive environment for oncogenesis. Additionally, PLWHA are more susceptible to persistent infections with oncogenic viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), further increasing cancer risk. Some ART drugs have been implicated in genotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction, potentially promoting tumorigenesis. ART-induced metabolic changes, including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, are also associated with heightened cancer risk. Common NADCs in PLWHA include lung cancer, liver cancer, anal cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma, each with distinct etiologies linked to both HIV-related and ART-related factors. The interplay between HIV infection, chronic inflammation, immune restoration via ART, and the direct effects of ART drugs creates a unique cancer risk profile in PLWHA. Although ART reduces the incidence of AIDS-defining cancers, it does not confer the same protective effect against NADCs. Persistent HIV-related inflammation and immune activation, despite viral suppression, are key factors in cancer development. Additionally, long-term exposure to ART may introduce new oncogenic risks. These insights highlight the need for integrated cancer screening and prevention strategies tailored to PLWHA. Future research is needed to focus on identifying biomarkers for early cancer detection and developing ART regimens with lower oncogenic potential. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in monitoring PLWHA for cancer and adopt comprehensive screening protocols to mitigate the increased cancer risk associated with ART.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains the leading cause of dementia worldwide and continues to pose a substantial therapeutic challenge. Although recent advances in disease-modifying treatments targeting amyloid-β pathology have generated cautious optimism, their translational impact is limited by persistent gaps in population and geographic representation within clinical trials. African populations, the most genetically diverse worldwide, remain markedly underrepresented in AD genomic and therapeutic studies. This gap limits the identification of ancestry-specific genetic risk factors and differential treatment responses and may contribute to the high attrition rates observed across AD drug development pipelines. We examine how the limited inclusion of African cohorts restricts insights into AD pathobiology and reduces the external validity of emerging therapeutic strategies. We highlight opportunities arising from the systematic integration of African population and clinical data, which have the potential to reveal novel biological mechanisms and expand the global relevance of candidate interventions. Persistent barriers, including insufficient research infrastructure and frequent substitution of African American cohorts for indigenous African populations, continue to obscure population-specific variation and hinder the development of a representative evidence base. Advancing the field will require coordinated and context-appropriate recruitment strategies, predictive modeling approaches grounded in region-specific data, and long-term investment in research capacity across the continent. A globally representative scientific framework that captures the full spectrum of human genetic heterogeneity is essential for accelerating progress in AD drug development. Integrating African population and data into clinical research will strengthen scientific rigor, enhance generalizability, and facilitate the development of globally equitable therapeutic strategies.