Transfer factor in immunodeficiency diseases.

Abstract

Results of therapeutic trials of transfer factor in a number of laboratories suggest clinical benefit and enhancement of immunological reactivity in patients with primary or secondary immunodeficiency diseases. Long term follow-up of 32 patients with the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome suggested that transfer factor caused conversion of immunologic reactivity, apparent clinical benefit, and prolonged survival in some, but not in all patients. In 18 patients with disseminated (Stage III) malignant melanoma treated with surgery and transfer factor, survival was better than would ordinarily be expected for disseminated disease (78% with mean follow-up of 2 years). A randomized trial has been initiated which will answer the question of the efficacy of transfer factor as surgical adjuvant therapy in malignant melanoma. Studies in human subjects suggested that transfer factor does not cause enhancement of reactivity in normal subjects, when evaluated in a controlled, double-blind fashion. Similar controlled studies in immunodeficient patients are necessary to ascertain whether transfer factor does cause enhancement of immune responses in these patients. Based on these observations, a guinea pig model was developed in which transfer factor caused abrogation of tolerance to ABA-Tyrosine.