4Life Transfer Factor Classic [Discontinued] by 4Life

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Herpes zoster (shingles). Administering transfer factor subcutaneously seems to prevent varicella-zoster in children with leukemia. A single subcutaneous treatment with human-derived transfer factor prepared from donors with varicella-zoster antibodies seems to almost completely protect nonimmune children with acute lymphocytic leukemia against varicella-zoster infection (384). However, the same treatment does not seem to prevent recurrent varicella-zoster infection or restore immunity in people receiving bone marrow transplant for leukemia (3278). In addition to having a prophylactic effect, some preliminary clinical evidence suggests that human-derived transfer factor may help treat herpes zoster. Administering human-derived transfer factor subcutaneously seems to reduce the duration of pain by about 5 days compared to treatment with acyclovir in patients with acute-stage herpes zoster infection (78842).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Lung cancer. Most research shows that administering human-derived transfer factor intramuscularly or subcutaneously, in combination with lung resection and chemotherapy, does not increase survival in patients with lung cancer (5447,7800,78793). However, some preliminary evidence suggests that transfer factor might improve survival in lung cancer patients with Stage IIIA or IIIB disease (78824).
• Melanoma. Administering human-derived transfer factor intramuscularly or subcutaneously, as adjuvant therapy, does not seem to affect disease progression or prolong survival when used for up to 2 years following surgery for Stage I and Stage II melanoma (3062,3063,78691).
• Multiple sclerosis (MS). Most research suggests that transfer factor given subcutaneously does not improve disease progression in people with MS (7799,78670,78796). While some research suggests that transfer factor might slow disease progression in people with mild to moderate symptoms, a positive effect is seen only after 18 months to 2 years of therapy (7798).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Acne. Preliminary clinical research suggests that subcutaneous injection of whole or fractionated human-derived transfer factor once weekly for 2 weeks does not improve acne in patients with acne vulgaris (78677).
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). Preliminary clinical research shows that once monthly injections with human-derived transfer factor from healthy donors does not affect the course of ALS (78751).
• Cervical cancer. Preliminary clinical research suggests that administering transfer factor subcutaneously, once monthly for 2 years, significantly reduces the risk of recurrence after surgery and irradiation compared to placebo in patients with invasive cervical cancer (78693).
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Transfer factor, obtained from relatives or other human donors, does not seem to improve CFS symptoms when administered intramuscularly biweekly, either alone or in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (7562). However, some preliminary clinical evidence suggests that taking transfer factor orally improves symptoms in some patients with CFS (78820).
• Crohn disease. Preliminary clinical research suggests that administering transfer factor intramuscularly does not improve clinical condition compared to placebo in patients with Crohn's disease (78712).
• Genital herpes. One preliminary clinical study in patients with recurrent genital herpes shows that taking herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific transfer factor orally reduces relapse indices from 56.3 to 28.2 compared to baseline (78817). Another preliminary clinical study in patients with severe recurrent genital herpes or other recurrent herpes infections shows that receiving transfer factor subcutaneously may reduce the frequency or severity of recurrence in some patients (78818).
• Hepatitis B. Some preliminary clinical evidence suggests that transfer factor derived from patients with acute hepatitis B, given intramuscularly, might be useful for treating chronic active hepatitis B infection (7797). Other preliminary clinical research shows that transfer factor derived from patients with acute hepatitis B, given subcutaneously, does not improve biochemical parameters in patients with chronic active hepatitis B infection (78775).
• Herpes keratitis. Results from several small clinical trials suggest that transfer factor might reduce the risk of herpes keratitis relapse (78803,78816).
• Herpes labialis (cold sores). One preliminary clinical study in patients with recurrent herpes labialis shows that taking herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific transfer factor orally reduces relapse indices from 68.7 to 12.9 compared to baseline (78817). Another preliminary clinical study in patients with severe recurrent herpes labials or other recurrent herpes infections shows that receiving transfer factor subcutaneously may reduce the frequency or severity of recurrence in some patients (78818).
• HIV/AIDS. Preliminary clinical research shows that taking HIV-1-specific transfer factor orally for 15 days and then once weekly for 6 months along with zidovudine is no more effective than zidovudine alone for improving hematological parameters and clinical progression in HIV-1 infected patients with asymptomatic disease, persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, or AIDS-related complex (78814).
• Hodgkin lymphoma. Preliminary clinical research shows that administering transfer factor subcutaneously once every 3 months for 21 months does not reduce the incidence of infections compared to placebo in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (78683).
• Human papillomavirus (HPV). Preliminary clinical research shows that taking transfer factor orally every 72 hours for 4 weeks resolves symptoms in 90% of women and results in normal colposcopy images in 89% of women with chronic cervicitis due to HPV infection. Women taking the placebo had no improvement in symptoms (97664). Other preliminary clinical research shows that taking transfer factor orally for 5 weeks, while also using it topically every 72 hours for the first 2 weeks, repeating every 3 months if a persistent lesion was found, at least doubles the number of patients free of cervical lesions related to HPV infection after 2 years when compared to treatment with cryo- or electro-surgery (97665). However, transfer factor given subcutaneously does not seem to improve wart regression in patients with HPV (78621).
• Intestinal parasite infection. There is some preliminary evidence that oral transfer factor weekly for up to 3 months might be beneficial for people with cryptosporidiosis related to AIDS. Transfer factor from bovine sources seems to improve stool frequency and help eradicate oocysts in some patients (1445,1480).
• Leishmania lesions. There is some evidence that transfer factor obtained from patients with antibodies to leishmania can heal persistent cutaneous leishmania lesions (3930,8105).
• Leukemia. Preliminary clinical research shows that administering transfer factor subcutaneously reduces time to neutrophil and leukocyte count recovery compared to control in patients with acute leukemia (78809).
• Mycosis fungoides. Preliminary clinical research shows that administering transfer factor intramuscularly once weekly for one year does not improve clinical status compared to placebo in patients with mycosis fungoides (78789).
• Nasopharyngeal cancer. There is conflicting evidence about the effects of using transfer factor for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. One case report suggests that administering transfer factor with specific activity against Epstein-Barr virus intramuscularly improves survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, while other research shows that it does not (78680,78823).
• Osteosarcoma. Preliminary clinical research suggests that administering human-derived transfer factor subcutaneously does not reduce tumor recurrence or improve survival in patients with resected, nonmetastatic osteosarcoma (78701).
• Prostate cancer. Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that 2-5 units of transfer factor, given intramuscularly once monthly, might improve disease progression in patients with hormone-resistant, metastatic prostate cancer (78825).
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Preliminary clinical research suggests that transfer factor, given subcutaneously, does not provide therapeutic benefit to patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (78702). More evidence is needed to rate transfer factor for these uses.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally or parenterally and appropriately. Human-derived transfer factor has been used safely in studies lasting up to 2 years (3062,7562,7797,7798) and bovine-derived transfer factor has been safely used in small studies lasting up to 3 months (1445,1507). Some evidence suggests these products are safe; however, some preparations are derived from animals and there is concern about contamination with diseased animal parts (see Adverse Reactions) (1825). There are no reports of disease transmission to humans due to use of contaminated bovine transfer factor.

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY SAFE
when used orally or parenterally and appropriately. Human-derived transfer factor administered subcutaneously has been used safely for up to 6 years (7794). Oral bovine transfer factor has been used safely for up to 6 months (350).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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General ...Orally or parenterally, transfer factor seems to be well tolerated (350,1445,1507,3062,3063,7562,7794,7797,7798,7799,78668,78669,78702,78714,78774,78796). Adverse effects may include fever (1507). Parenterally, transfer factor can cause nausea, fatigue, and tenderness, pain, and swelling at the injection site (3062,7562,7799,78809). Orally, severe acne has been reported (78820).
There is some concern that bovine-derived transfer factor that is produced from cows in countries where bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE) has been reported might be contaminated with diseased tissue. Countries where BSE has been reported include Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Luxembourg, Ireland, Switzerland, Oman, and Belgium (1825). However, there have been no reports of BSE transfer to humans from contaminated transfer factor products. Until more is known, tell patients to avoid these products unless country of origin can be determined. Patients should avoid products that are produced in countries where BSE has been found.

Dermatologic ...Orally, transfer factor may cause severe acne in some patients (78820).

Gastrointestinal ...Parenterally, nausea has been reported in a patient following treatment with transfer factor (78809)

Musculoskeletal ...Parenterally, transfer factor may cause tenderness, pain, and swelling at the injection site (3062,7562,7799,78809).

Neurologic/CNS ...Parenterally, fatigue has been reported for up to 4 hours in a patient using transfer factor (78789).

Other ...Orally or parenterally, transfer factor may cause fever (1507,78789,78809).
There is some concern that bovine-derived transfer factor that is produced from cows in countries where bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE) has been reported might be contaminated with diseased tissue. Countries where BSE has been reported include Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Luxembourg, Ireland, Switzerland, Oman, and Belgium (1825). However, there have been no reports of BSE transfer to humans from contaminated transfer factor products. Until more is known, tell patients to avoid these products unless country of origin can be determined. Patients should avoid products that are produced in countries where BSE has been found.

(Read more about TRANSFER FACTOR)