The History of
Transfer
Factor
Dr. H. Sherwood Lawrence
discovered that an immune response could be transferred from a donor to
a recipient by injecting an extract of leucocytes.6 The extract
was postulated to contain a factor capable of transferring the donor's
immunity to the recipient. Lawrence called this substance transfer factor,
the term now used by scientists.
Thousands of papers have
been published on the use of transfer factors. Early on, results
were erratic--everything from a complete and miraculous cure to a complete
and total failure could be expected. The promise of transfer factor
as the answer to all our immunological problems seemed too good to be true.
A number of conditions were working against scientists that were exploring
the potential of transfer factor. Three of these conditions are
especially noteworthy: 1) complexity, 2) quality control, and 3) conventional
bias.
Transfer factor extracts
are complex, containing an estimated 200 or more individual transfer
factors; not a single chemical entity like a standard pharmaceutical
drug. Just as in nature, synergy between parts is the key. Separating natural
products into their individual components often diminishes either efficacy
(as in the case of St. John's wort and hypericum) or safety (as in the
case of foxglove and digitalis). This may also be true for transfer
factors. Indicative of this is the recent discovery of two, new, potent,
transfer
factor molecules, IMREG I and IMREG II.17 Each of these
molecules has its own specific function and purpose in a balanced immune
system.
The second hurdle that had
to be overcome was one of quality control. No reliable assay was available
to test whether the extract was properly prepared. This problem was overcome
by Wilson and Fudenberg, who were issued a patent for their discovery.18
The third issue is a matter
of intellectual bias, often seen when a new concept or discovery is introduced.
The idea of transfer factors simply flies in the face of conventional
immunology. We could draw a parallel between medieval biases and those
of today. In the 14th century, the Black Plague killed a quarter of the
European population.19 Attempts to deal with the Plague were
blocked by superstitious adherence to conventional beliefs. Similarly,
the progress of transfer factor research has been inhibited by the
conventional dogmas of immunology. Even now this bias stifles progress
that could be made in critical areas. In a recent international symposium
on transfer factors, Dr. D. Viza stated,
At the end of the 20th century,
the triumph of biology is indisputable. . . . However, the triumph of biological
science is far from being complete. The toll of several diseases, such
as cancer, continues to rise and the pathogenesis of AIDS remains elusive.
In the realm of inductive
science, the dominant paradigm can seldom be challenged in a frontal attack,
especially when it is apparently successful, and only what Kuhn calls 'scientific
revolutions' can overthrow it. Thus, it is hardly surprising that the concept
of transfer factor is considered with contempt . . . [since] its
putative mode of action contravenes dogmas of both immunology and molecular
biology. And when facts challenge established dogmas, be [it] in religion,
philosophy or science, they must be suppressed . . . because they challenge
the prevalent paradigm. However, when observations pertain to lethal disorders,
their suppression in the name of dogmas may become criminal. Because of
the failure of medical science to manage the AIDS pandemic, transfer
factor, which has been successfully used for treating or preventing
viral infections, may today overcome a priori prejudice and rejection more
swiftly.20
Emerging strains of new,
antibiotic-resistant "super-bugs" are a global problem.8 Over
a dozen new food borne pathogens have been identified in the last twenty
years.10 The American Society for Microbiology lamented that
the spirit of cooperation and trust needed to deal with these problems
appears to be lacking.21
Just as clear evidence suggested
a solution in dealing with the Black Plague, so too clear evidence indicates
a potential solution to our modern plagues. We must take individual responsibility
for our own health by strengthening our immune systems. This is the most
critical health issue we face and transfer factor can play a major
role in maintaining our immediate and long-term health. (see
endnotes)
Transfer
Factor
Natural Immune Booster
"Scientists and health experts
have long recognized the immune system's role in preserving good health.
But the revolutionary discovery of "transfer factor" has essentially filled
in a missing element of immune function. In this booklet, Dr. William
Hennen examines how transfer factor cells from outside sources can provide
the human body with valuable and new information about invading diseases.
He also reviews the recent research, its safety and possible use."
Transfer
Factor Patent Holder Comments:
"We
know transfer factor’s history of safety. Chang, at the Wadley Institute
of Molecular Medicine in Texas, injected humongous amounts of transfer
factor in people just to prove that it was safe. He went way overboard
to prove safety. The nice thing about transfer factor, when prepared
in the way it will be distributed by 4Life™, it evokes no immune
response against it by the recipient, and there’s no problem about immune
complex diseases and it’s, therefore, much safer."
Dr.
Greg Wilson
Transfer
Factor Patent Holder
"Through
the research that Dr. Wilson and I have done in the development and characterization
of Colostral TF, we have patented this technology. This patent includes
the manufacture and use of Colostral TF, and this patent has been licensed
to 4 Life."
Dr.
Gary Paddock Transfer Factor Patent Holder
Treating Chronically Ill
Patients with Transfer Factor
An Exclusive Interview with
Dr. Carol Ann Ryser, M.D. - (excerpt)
Since 1998, Dr. Carol Ann
Ryser has been using Transfer Factor to treat her chronically ill patients,
and has experienced considerable success in diminishing symptoms and achieving
overall health improvements among those patients. In this exclusive interview,
Dr. Ryser discusses her experience with Transfer Factor as an effective
treatment for chronic illness.
Dr. Ryser: "The diagnosis
of a patient is of utmost importance. I perform a series of genetic testing
with PCR (Polymer Chain Reaction) that tells me the specific bacteria or
virus(es) a patient has. Transfer Factor helps with viral, bacterial, and
fungal infections as well as parasites, and supports the immune system
while treating the problems a patient has. Regarding what formulas of Transfer
Factor I use for different patients, I use the plain Transfer Factor as
a general prevention treatment, especially for infections and allergies
and for patients with Epstein-Barr, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome."
Q: How much Transfer
Factor do you typically recommend, and for what kind of patient?
Dr. Ryser: "For chronically
ill patients, including those with chronic sinusitis, and multiple allergies,
I recommend six capsules a day, and depending on the severity of their
symptoms, I might recommend up to twelve capsules a day. For Epstein-Barr
patients, I typically recommend three capsules a day of Formula 540 for
adults, taken morning or evening as they prefer, because it can make them
tired. For children ages 7-12 or 13, depending on weight, I will recommend
two capsules a day, to be taken at bedtime.
When a patient is beginning
to get sick and is coming down with a fever, I will have them take two
capsules every 2-3 hours, for 24 hours, and that usually knocks the virus
"off its socks," so to speak. This dosage of Transfer Factor can nip a
fever in the bud, by supporting the immune system’s natural killer cells.
I also treat fibromyalgia
patients with Transfer Factor. I believe that fibromyalgia is most commonly
caused by infections, including bacteria, yeast, and parasites. For chronically
ill patients dealing with multiple infections, including CNS (Central Nervous
System) infections and gastrointestinal infections, I recommend several
different Transfer Factor formulas, to be taken together."
Q.: How long does
it usually take for a patient to experience positive results once they
start taking Transfer Factor?
Dr. Ryser: "My patients
usually start to feel better within 3-6 months of beginning treatment with
Transfer Factor. Dramatic results usually manifest in about one year, but
we really begin to see positive changes in 5-6 months. It typically takes
about a year of Transfer Factor treatment to really turn a patient around.
I am specifically referring to chronically ill patients who have an average
of 2-7 chronic infections that require treatment. The body’s cells regenerate
every six months, and you need to give the body a chance to generate healthy
cells before dramatic improvements in a patient’s overall health can emerge."
Q.: What, if any,
are the side effects or possible negative reactions that can occur with
Transfer Factor therapy?
Dr. Ryser: "The initial
reactions to Transfer Factor a patient will experience are similar to a
vaccination – but without, of course, exposure to the pathogen. The initial
reaction typically includes flu-like symptoms, proportionate to the severity
of a patient’s illness. These flu-like symptoms go away, but they prove
that the immune system has been activated, and that it is working to suppress
the body’s infections.
Regarding the safety of Transfer
Factor, I have never had a problem with negative side effects or adverse
reactions. However, I am very cautious. I perform careful evaluations of
a patient’s immune system. I check for viral leukemia, and so forth. I
am very careful with cancer and autoimmune patients, with whom you must
be cautious with regard to stimulating immune cells – this is particularly
the case with Hodgkins Disease and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma patients."
Q.: What have you
found to be the most positive benefits of Transfer Factor for your Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome patients – what are the best results you have seen?
Dr. Ryser: "The patient
stops getting sick, and they don’t have any more infections. Their cognitive
thinking clears up – no more brain fog. Their energy comes back – they
can start doing more, and they can start walking and exercising again.
They don’t suffer relapses. However, when a patient is doing well and they
make the personal decision to stop taking Transfer Factor, I have seen
relapses. I strongly recommend that a patient takes Transfer Factor for
life – that is, it is a lifetime commitment for my chronically ill patients."
Dr.
Carol Ann Ryser, M.D., is a Board Certified Pediatrician, Board Certified
Clinical Analyst, member of F.A.A.P., the American Medical Association,
OHM (Orthomolecular Health Medicine), and the American Academy of Anti-Aging
Medicine. The primary focus of Dr. Ryser’s medical practice is on the prevention
of illness and disease. Since 1996, Dr. Ryser has been the Medical Director
of Health Centers of America. Previously, she was Medical Director of the
International Learning Centers, Director of Mid-American Treatment and
Training, a staff member of the Gardner Medical Center, Consulting Staff
Member of the Research Medical Center, Assistant Clinical Professor of
Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Medical Director
of the Children’s Rehabilitation Unit, University of Kansas Medical Center,
Consultant to the Special Education Department for Orthopedically Handicapped
Children, and a Consultant to the United States Air Force in Crete. Dr.
Ryser has published and presented a number of papers in her area of expertise,
appearing in such publications as The American Journal for Diseases of
Children, the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychology and Pediatrics.
Dr. Ryser has been recognized for her contributions in the fields of medicine,
science, and mental health, as both a clinician and educator, by both professional
and lay organizations.
Endnotes
1. Personal communication
with Richard Bennet, Ph.D. (11/17/97).
2. Immunology, Immunopathology
and Immunity. Sell S. Appleton and Lange: Stamford CT 1996.
3.Allergenicity of orally
administered immunoglobulin preparations in food-allergic children. Bernhisel-Broadbent
J, Yolken RH, Sampson HA. Pediatrics 1991, 87(2), 208-14.
4. Transfer Factor in the
Era of AIDS. Pizza G, Viza D. Biotherapy 1996, 9(1-3), ix-x.
5. Immunology in a Nutshell.
Eberhand Wecker. Mannheim: BI. Wissenschaftverlag. 1992.
6. The cellular transfer
of cutaneous hypersensitivity to tuberculin in man. Lawerence HS. Proc
Soc Exp Biol Med 1949, 71, 516.
7. Activities and characteristics
of Transfer Factors. Kirkpatrick CH. Biotherapy 1996, 9(1-3), 13-6.
8.A) Reasons for the emergence
of antibiotic resistance. Tenover FC, McGowan JE Jr. Am J Med Sci 1996,
311(1), 9-16. B) Medline Search 1994-1997.
9. Transfer Factor--current
status and future prospects. Lawrence HS, Borkowsky W. Biotherapy 1996,
9(1-3), 1-5.
10.Emerging Foodborne Diseases:
An Evolving Public Health Challenge. Tauxe RV.The National Conference on
Emerging Foodborne Pathogens: Implications and Control, March 24-26, 1997,
Alexandria, Virginia, USA Emerging Infectious Diseases 1997, 3(4)
11. Personal communication
from Drs. Greg Wilson and Gary Paddock.
12. Transfer Factor: Past,
Present and Future. Fudenberg HH, Fudenberg HH. Ann Rev Pharm Tox 1989,
475-516.
13. Murine Transfer Factors:
dose-response relationships and routes of administration. Kirkpatrick C
H, Hamad AR, Morton LC. Cell Immunol 1995, 164(2), 203-6.
14. In vitro studies during
long-term oral administration of specific Transfer Factor. Pizza G, De
Vinci C, Fornarola V, Palareti A, Baricordi O, Viza D. Biotherapy 1996,
9(1-3), 175-85.
15. Oral bovine Transfer
Factor (OTF) use in the hyper-IgE syndrome. Jones JF, et al. In: Immunobiology
of Transfer Factor. Academic Press: New York. 1983, pp 261-70.
16. Observation of the effect
of PSTF oral liquor on the positive tuberculin test reaction. Wu S, Zhong
X. Chung Kuo I Hsueh Ko Hsueh Yuan Hsueh Pao 1992, 14(4), 314-6.
17. Modulation of concanavalin
A-induced, antigen--non-specific regulatory cell activity by leuenkephalin
and related peptides. Sizemore RC, et al. Clin Imm Im 1991, 60(2), 310-18.
18. Use of In Vitro Assay
Techniques to Measure Parameters Related to Clinical Applications of Transfer
Factor Therapy. Wilson GB, Fudenberg HH. US Patent 4610878. Sept. 9, 1986.
19. Infectious Disease as
an Evolutionary Paradigm. Lederberg J. The National Conference on Emerging
Foodborne Pathogens: Implications and Control, March 24-26, 1997, Alexandria,
Virginia, USA Emerging Infectious Diseases vol 3(4)
20. AIDS and Transfer Factor:
myths, certainties and realities. Viza D. Biotherapy 1996, 9(1-3), 17-26.
21..The emergent needs for
basic research, education, and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance.
Problems facing the report from the American Society for Microbiology Task
Force on Antibiotic Resistance. Jones RN. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 1996,(25)
153-61.
.
......
In
this 48-page booklet by Dr. Hennen, you will read about Transfer Factor;
its source, history, and its roll in protecting us from modern-day threats
to our immune system. Scientists and health experts have long recognized
the immune system's role in preserving good health. But the revolutionary
discovery of transfer factors has essentially filled in a missing element
of immune function. In this booklet, Dr. William Hennen examines
how transfer factor cells from outside sources can provide the human body
with valuable and new information about invading diseases. He also reviews
the recent research, its safety and possible use.
