Transfer Factors and Immunological Health
What are transfer factors and how do they work? Soon after giving birth, female mammals produce colostrum, which is a milk-like substance that jump-starts a newborn's immune system. Researchers now believe that the benefits of colostrum don't necessarily end there.
If you have a compromised immune system or are just looking for a boost to your healthy immune system, colostrum may be the jump-start you need to fight infection or immune-related chronic diseases such as cancer.
Transfer Factor is a set of messaging molecules that convey immune information within an individual's immune system. Nature also uses transfer factor to carry immune information from one individual's immune system to another individual. This in fact is how it got its name: by being the factor that transferred immunity from one person to another.
Transfer factors are the primary communications used by the immune system to defend against harmful microbial threats. Transfer factors are small molecules that occur naturally in all mammals and are passed from mother to newborn through the mother's first milk called colostrum. By transferring information from cell to cell, transfer factors serve as "teachers" to the cells, ensuring a strong immune system capable of surviving, even thriving, in its new environment.
Are there studies to back up the power of transfer factors? There have been over 3000 medical studies completed and 40 million dollars spent in researching the benefits of transfer factors. 4Life Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™
were tested for their ability to increase Natural Killer Cell (NK) activity by the Institute of Longevity Medicine in California. Natural Killer Cells seek and destroy harmful cells through direct contact. Natural Killer Cells are especially important in strengthening and supporting the immune system. Test results showed that 4Life Transfer Factor™ boosted NK cell activity 103% above normal immune response without supplementation, more than two times higher than the next highest product.
The study also showed that Transfer Factor Plus™ increased the NK cell activity over 430% above normal immune response without supplementation, or about five times higher than any of the other previously tested products. With the ability of transfer factors to
boost the immune system this will help stop the overuse of antibiotics. According to David Markowitz, M.D. who has been running a clinical trial in his pediatric practice, "In an aged match review of transfer factor users we have seen
74% less reported illness and 84% less use of antibiotics."
¯Orally administered HSV-specific transfer factor (TF) prevents genital or labial herpes relapses. Biotherapy 1996;9(1-3):67-72 (ISSN: 0921-299X)Pizza G; Viza D; De Vinci C; Palareti A; Cuzzocrea D; Fornarola V; Baricordi R
Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy Unit, 1st-Division of Urology, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Forty-four patients suffering from genital (22) and labial (22) herpes were orally treated with HSV-1/2 specific transfer factor (TF). TF was obtained by in vitro replication of a HSV-1/2-specific bovine dialysable lymphocyte extract. Treatment was administered bi-weekly the first 2 weeks, and then weekly for 6 months, most patients received 2-3 courses. The total observation period for all patients before treatment was 26,660 days, with 544 relapses, and a relapse index of 61.2, whereas the cumulative observation period during and after treatment was 16,945 days, with a total of 121 relapsing episodes and a cumulative RI of 21.4 (P < color="#990000">
. These observations confirm previous results obtained with bovine HSV-specific TF, and warrant further studies to establish HSV-specific TF as a choice of treatment for preventing herpes recurrences.¯Use of transfer factor for the treatment of recurrent non-bacterial female cystitis (NBRC): a preliminary report. Biotherapy 1996;9(1-3):133-8 (ISSN: 0921-299X) De Vinci C; Pizza G; Cuzzocrea D; Menniti D; Aiello E; Maver P; Corrado G; Romagnoli P; Dragoni E; Lo Conte G; Riolo U; Masi M; Severini G; Fornarola V; Viza D
Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy Unit, 1st-Division of Urology, Bologna, Italy.
Results of conventional treatment of female non-bacterial recurrent cystitis (NBRC) are discouraging. Most patients show an unexpected high incidence of vaginal candidiasis, while their cell mediated immunity to Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and Candida antigens seems impaired, and it is known that the persistence of mucocutaneous chronic candidiasis is mainly due to a selective defect of CMI to Candida antigens. Twenty nine women suffering of NBRC, and in whom previous treatment with antibiotics and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs was unsuccessful, underwent oral transfer factor (TF) therapy. TF specific to Candida and/or to HSV was administered bi-weekly for the first 2 weeks, and then once a week for the following 6 months. No side effects were observed during treatment. The total observation period of our cohort was 24379 days with 353 episodes of cystitis recorded and a cumulative relapse index (RI) of 43.
The observation period during and after treatment was 13920 days with 108 relapses and a cumulative RI of 23 (P <>¯Preliminary observations using HIV-specific transfer factor in AIDS.
Biotherapy 1996;9(1-3):41-7 (ISSN: 0921-299X) Pizza G; Chiodo F; Colangeli V; Gritti F; Raise E; Fudenberg HH; De Vinci C; Viza D
Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy Unit, Ospedale S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
Twenty five HIV-1-infected patients, at various stages (CDC II, III and IV) were treated orally with HIV-1- specific transfer factor (TF) for periods varying from 60 to 1870 days. All patients were receiving antiviral treatments in association with TF. The number of lymphocytes, CD4 and CD8 subsets were followed and showed no statistically significant variations. In 11/25 patients the number of lymphocytes increased, whilst in 11/25 decreased; similarly an increase of the CD4 lymphocytes was observed in 11/25 patients and of the CD8 lymphocytes in 15/25. Clinical improvement or a stabilized clinical condition was noticed in 20/25 patients, whilst a deterioration was seen in 5/25. In 12/14 anergic patients, daily TF administration restored delayed type hypersensitivity to recall antigens within 60 days.
These preliminary observations suggest that oral HIV-specific TF administration, in association with antiviral drugs, is well tolerated and seems beneficial to AIDS patients, thus warranting further investigation.
¯Immunotherapy with transfer factor of recurrent herpes simplex type I.
Arch Med Res 1995;26 Spec No:S87-92 (ISSN: 0188-4409) Estrada-Parra S; Chavez-Sanchez R; Ondarza-Aguilera R; Correa-Meza B; Serrano-Miranda E; Monges- Nicolau A; Calva-Pellicer C Departamento de Inmunologia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico, D.F.
This clinical trial of Transfer Factor, an immunomodulator, in the treatment of herpes simplex type I, proved this agent to be more effective as regards duration of acute phase recurrences as well as the frequency of the reappearance of relapses of this disease. The evaluation was made in 20 patients whose disease had been treated before with other therapeutic agents (including acyclovir) which permitted them to be their own controls for the comparative data obtained and submitted to statistical analysis of the two parameters mentioned, duration of the acute phase and frequency of relapses. Patients with compromised cellular immunity or with any additional disease were excluded from the study. Transfer factor, one unit, was administered subcutaneously daily for 3 to 4 days during the acute phase of the disease, and subsequently at 15-day intervals for the first 6 months; followed by a continuation of monthly injections until the termination of the study period. In six of the 20 patients there was a recurrence of the disease while receiving maintenance dosages of TF. These patients were again given the full initial dosage schedule and reinstated again with the maintenance dosage. In the initial eight patients, an immune status profile was obtained, and all results were found to be in the normal range. This was considered sufficient evidence that the criteria for the selection of patients excluded any with detectable variations in the profile of the immune status, and it was decided to eliminate this as a prerequisite for participating in the study. The results showed an important improvement in the response to transfer factor immune modulation therapy. A statistically significant reduction in the frequency of recurrences within a one month period, the Student t test gave a p = 0.0001 in TF treated patients. The average duration in days of the acute phase also showed an important difference in favor of the TF treatment. The U Mann-Whitney test gave a p = 0.0005.
These results suggest that, at present, TF may be considered the therapeutic agent of choice in the treatment of herpes simplex type 1 disease.¯A preliminary report on the use of transfer factor for treating stage D3 hormone-unresponsive metastatic prostate cancer. Biotherapy 1996;9(1-3):123-32 (ISSN: 0921-299X) Pizza G; De Vinci C; Cuzzocrea D; Menniti D; Aiello E; Maver P; Corrado G; Romagnoli P; Dragoni E; Lo Conte G; Riolo U; Palareti A; Zucchelli P; Fornarola V; Viza D
Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
As conventional treatments are unsuccessful, the survival rate of stage D3 prostate cancer patients is poor. Reports have suggested the existence of humoral and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against prostate cancer tumour-associated antigens (TAA). These observations prompted us to treat stage D3 prostate cancer patients with an in vitro produced transfer factor (TF) able to transfer, in vitro and in vivo, CMI against bladder and prostate TAA. Fifty patients entered this study and received one intramuscular injection of 2-5 units of specific
TF monthly. Follow-up, ranging from 1 to 9 years, showed that complete remission was achieved in 2 patients, partial remission in 6, and no progression of metastatic disease in 14. The median survival was 126 weeks, higher than the survival rates reported in the literature for patients of the same stage.
¯The biological activity of the transfer factor induced by bacterial antigens
[Biolohichna aktyvnist' faktora perenosu, indukovanoho bakterial'nymy antyhenamy.] Mikrobiol Z 1997 Sep-Oct;59(5):83-100 Liubchenko TA; Holeva OH; Kholodna LS; Smirnov VV; Vershyhora AIu
Today's statement of transfer factor, an immunostimulator derived from leukocytes which enhances antiinfectious immunity, is observed in the review. Basic biological, physical and
chemical characteristics of the transfer factor, its possible action mechanisms, and laboratory and clinical methods of use to cure infectious fungal (Candida, Coccidium), invasive (schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, cryptosporidiosis), viral (varicella zoster, ophthalmic herpes, Herpes simplex types 1 and 2, H. zoster, H. simplex ceratitis, genital herpes, human herpes virus type 6, postherpetic neuritis, hepatitis B, AIDS), and bacterial infections (Mycobacterium leprae, M. tuberculosis, M. fortuitum, Salmonella cholerae suis, S. dublin, S. Virchov, Brucella abortus, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, bacterial sepsis, Staphylococcus) are described.
¯Human specific transfer factor to Staphylococcus aureus antigens
[Liuds'kyij spetsyfichnyij Faktor perenosu do antyheniv Staphylococcus aureus.] Fiziol Zh 1997;43(3-4):25-32 Liubchenko TA; Holeva OH; Kholodna LS; Stepanchuk VA; Vershyhora AIu
Immunobiological properties of human specific transfer factor (TF) to Staphylococcus aureus antigens were studied. It is shown that this TF activated human leucocytes in vitro as well as in vivo. Antigen specificity of TF's immunomodulating effects is also shown. In vitro we used leucocyte migration inhibition test (IML), macrophage inhibition test (MPI) and rosette formation (E-ros). For testing in vivo we used delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin tests.
¯Use of transfer factor in allergic bronchial asthma
[Uso del factor de transferencia en el asma bronquial alergica.] Rev Alerg 1993 Mar-Apr;40(2):42-5 Salazar Villa RM; Mejia Ortega J
Servicio de alergia e inmunologia clinica, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI.
The therapeutic panorama of immunomodulation and its effects on the modification of the immune reaction is reviewed.
Particular reference is made to the transfer factor as a therapeutic element in bronchial asthma, which insures its efficacy or innocuity.
¯The usefulness of transfer factor in asthma associated with frequent infections.
Ann Allergy 1978 Apr;40(4):229-32 (ISSN: 0003-4738) Khan A; Sellars W; Grater W; Graham MF; Pflanzer J; Antonetti A; Bailey J; Hill NO Fifteen patients underwent controlled trial with transfer factor for repeated infections and severe asthma.
Marked decrease in respiratory infections and striking improvement in asthma resulted. The authors suggest that transfer factor may reconstitute immune function, thus representing a unique approach to severe asthma associated with frequent infections.
¯Transfer factor and possible applications in gynecology.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 1978 Mar 1;130(5):572-84 (ISSN: 0002-9378) Freedman RS; Wharton JT; Rutledge F; Sinkovics JG Dialyzable
transfer factor (TFd) is reviewed against its historical background, preparation methods, physiochemical properties, possible mechanisms of action, pharmacology, and clinical studies, including several areas relating to gynecology. The possible role of TFd as an adjunct in the treatment of cancer is discussed. The discussion centers on gynecologic cancer in several patients who have received TFd. The difficulties and future possibilities for this modality of treatment are considered.
Transfer factor in restoration of cell mediated immunity in lung cancer patients.
Jpn J Surg 1983 Jul;13(4):304-11 (ISSN: 0047-1909)Fujisawa T; Yamaguchi Y; Kimura H
We studied the transfer factor (TF) with regard to in vivo and in vitro restoration of cell mediated immunity (CMI) in lung cancer patients. Twentyeight lung cancer patients who had undergone resection were the recipients and 30 household contact family members with a positive reactivity to lung cancer extract were the donors of TF. Immunologic status was evaluated by delayed type cutaneous hypersensitivity (DTH), peripheral T lymphocyte number, PHA lymphocyte blastogenesis, serum blocking activity (SBA) and leucocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test. When TF was administered twice subcutaneously to the patients, there was a statistically significant restoration or augmentation of DTH, PHA lymphocyte blastogenesis and abrogation of SBA, particularly in patients with suppressed CMI. These results suggest that it was the TF obtained from relatives of lung cancer patients with positive reactivity to tumor associated antigens restored or augmented tumor specific and nonspecific CMI in these lung cancer patients.
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