TRANSFER FACTOR THERAPY I N PATIENTS

The objective of this study was to utilize transfer factor to stimulate cell-mediated immunity to specific tumor antigens i n cancer patients. Thirty-five selected patients with advanced recurrent cancer, who were not suitable for further conventional therapy, were treated with transfer factor. Transfer factor was prepared from cohabitants of the patients and administered a t 2-week in-tervals. This immunotherapeutic approach produced a clinical effect i n 13 pa-tients in terms of regression of tumor (l) , arrest of metastatic disease (14), or pain relief (14). Conversion of dermal reactivity to specific tumor antigens was observed during periods of clinical improvement. Despite continued immuno-therapy, the duration of clinical improvement was short (2 weeks to 12 months). Seven of the 11 patients not responding to therapy exhibited serum blocking of lymphocyte responsiveness. In 11 patients there is insufficient data to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of this therapy. T h e results suggest that transfer factor can stimulate specific cell-mediated immunity i n cancer patients and produce a clinical effect on tumor under certain circumstances