Transfer factor
Transfer factor/Drug Interactions:
AIDS agentsAIDS agents: Some trials have demonstrated beneficial effect, including changes in immune cell counts and interleukin levels, in patients with HIV/AIDS (151; 195; 196). Others have reported a lack of effect, or information on effects has been lacking (197; 198). AntiasthmaticsAntiasthmatics: Some clinical trials have reported an improvement in asthma with transfer factor treatment, while for others, an effect was lacking or information was unavailable (169; 187; 32; 199). AntibioticsAntibiotics: Antibacterial effects of transfer factor therapy have been discussed and reviewed (200; 201; 202). Further details are lacking at this time. AnticonvulsantsAnticonvulsants: Transfer factor therapy, in combination with primidone or carbamazepine, has been associated with benefit in patients with epilepsy (41). Further details are lacking at this time. AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: In animal studies, treatment with dialyzable lymphoid extract (DLE) prepared from euglycemic mice reduced blood glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice (37). AntifungalsAntifungals: Use of transfer factor therapy to treat fungal infections has been explored in human studies and discussed in reviews. Some studies have reported benefits from transfer factor therapy; for others, an effect was lacking or information was unavailable (5; 203; 157). Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: According to a review, transfer factor acts on cells in inflammatory sites (78). Transfer factor has been used to treat inflammatory conditions, including hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis (152; 204; 205; 206; 207; 160; 208; 209; 210; 211; 156; 212; 213). Beta-agonistsBeta-agonists: In children with asthma, transfer factor treatment permitted a reduction in budesonide and formoterol doses (169). BronchodilatorsBronchodilators: In children with asthma, transfer factor treatment permitted a reduction in budesonide and formoterol doses (169). CorticosteroidsCorticosteroids: In children with asthma, transfer factor treatment permitted a reduction in budesonide and formoterol doses (169). Dermatologic agentsDermatologic agents: In clinical trials of patients with atopic dermatitis, transfer factor therapy has been associated with improvement in clinical or immunological status; for others, an effect was lacking or information was unavailable (172; 190; 273; 274; 275; 276; 277; 191). Clinical improvement was lacking in a trial of patients with acne vulgaris (171). HepatotoxinsHepatotoxins: Transfer factor, used in combination with high-dose Stronger Neo-Minophagen C, may be beneficial in children with chronic hepatitis B (269). ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In patients with refractory atopic dermatitis, transfer factor was as effective as cyclosporin A in improving clinical status (172). Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: Transfer factor for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been investigated, with mixed results (161; 342). Transfer factor therapy for diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) has been reviewed (343); however, details are limited at this time. The appearance of acute multifocal cerebral white matter lesions during transfer factor therapy has been discussed (163). Stronger Neo-Minophagen CStronger Neo-Minophagen C: Transfer factor, used in combination with high-dose Stronger Neo-Minophagen C, may be beneficial in children with chronic hepatitis B (269). SympathomimeticsSympathomimetics: In children with asthma, transfer factor treatment permitted a reduction in budesonide and formoterol doses (169). Transfer factor/Herb/Supplement Interactions:
AIDS agentsAIDS agents: Some trials have demonstrated beneficial effects, including changes in immune cell counts and interleukin levels, in patients with HIV/AIDS (151; 195; 196). Others have reported a lack of effect, or information on effects has been lacking (197; 198). AntiasthmaticsAntiasthmatics: Some clinical trials have reported an improvement in asthma with transfer factor treatment, while for others, an effect was lacking or information was unavailable (169; 187; 32; 199). AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Antibacterial effects of transfer factor therapy have been discussed and reviewed (200; 201; 202). Further details are lacking at this time. AnticonvulsantsAnticonvulsants: Transfer factor therapy, in combination with primidone or carbamazepine, has been associated with benefit in patients with epilepsy (41). AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: In animal studies, treatment with dialyzable lymphoid extract (DLE) prepared from euglycemic mice reduced blood glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice (37). AntifungalsAntifungals: Use of transfer factor therapy to treat fungal infections has been explored in human studies and discussed in reviews. Some studies have reported benefits of transfer factor therapy; for others, an effect was lacking or information was unavailable (5; 203; 157). Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: According to review, transfer factor acts on cells in inflammatory sites (78). Transfer factor has been used to treat inflammatory conditions, including hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis (152; 204; 205; 206; 207; 160; 208; 209; 210; 211; 156; 212; 213). Dermatologic herbs and supplementsDermatologic herbs and supplements: In clinical trials of patients with atopic dermatitis, transfer factor therapy was associated with improvement in clinical or immunological status; for others, an effect was lacking or information was unavailable (172; 190; 273; 274; 275; 276; 277; 191). Clinical improvement was lacking in a trial of patients with acne vulgaris (171). HepatotoxinsHepatotoxins: Transfer factor, used in combination with high-dose Stronger Neo-Minophagen C, may be beneficial in children with chronic hepatitis B (269). ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In patients with refractory atopic dermatitis, transfer factor was as effective as cyclosporin A in improving clinical status (172). Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: Transfer factor for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been investigated, with mixed results (161; 342). Transfer factor therapy for diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) has been reviewed (343), although details are limited at this time. The appearance of acute multifocal cerebral white matter lesions during transfer factor therapy has been discussed (163). SympathomimeticsSympathomimetics: In children with asthma, transfer factor treatment permitted a reduction in budesonide and formoterol doses (169). Transfer factor/Food Interactions:
Insufficient available evidenceTransfer factor/Lab Interactions:
Blood glucose.Blood glucose: In animal studies, treatment with dialyzable lymphoid extract (DLE) prepared from euglycemic mice reduced blood glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice (37). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteinCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein: Reductions in CSF protein and IgG were associated with transfer factor therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis (155). E rosettesE rosettes: In human research, transfer factor therapy has been associated with an increase in the percentage of E rosettes (236; 224; 345; 346; 347). Immunoglobulin levelImmunoglobulin level: Reduced levels of IgE and IgG have been reported with transfer factor in patients with atopic dermatitis and multiple sclerosis, respectively (275; 155). InterleukinsInterleukins: In human studies, transfer factor specific for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), from goats immunized with HCC cells, enhanced interleukin (IL)-2 activity and IL-2R expression in HCC patients, but not in healthy volunteers (337). Some AIDS patients showed a significant increase in IL-2 and a decrease in IL-6 with transfer factor (151). Leukocyte migrationLeukocyte migration: Transfer factor treatment may result in the enhancement or inhibition of leukocyte migration (316; 326; 325; 148; 284; 278; 288). Lymphocyte activationLymphocyte activation: Transfer factor has been shown to affect lymphocyte activation, transformation, or proliferation under some, but not all, conditions (311; 341; 340; 324; 299; 305; 285). Lymphocyte levelsLymphocyte levels: In patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, transfer factor was associated with a reduction in percentage of T lymphocytes (156). In AIDS patients, transfer factor was associated with statistically significant increases in CD8 cells and white blood cells after 12 months of treatment (151). In patients with herpes, transfer factor was associated with a reduction in the percentage of CD4 cells compared with baseline. Transfer factor treatment was associated with reduced time to neutrophil count and leukocyte count recovery in patients with acute leukemia (177). Reduced levels of peripheral eosinophils have been reported with transfer factor in patients with atopic dermatitis (275). In children with Hodgkin's disease, transfer factor was associated with increased number and percentage of B cells (230). Normal levels of active rosette-forming cells were restored with transfer factor in patients with osteogenic sarcoma (224). In patients with bronchopulmonary cancer, transfer factor therapy was associated with an increase in the number of T lymphocytes in a majority of patients (236).