Evidence supporting the use of: Transfer Factor
For the health condition: Tuberculosis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Transfer Factor has been investigated as an adjunctive therapy in tuberculosis (TB) due to its immunomodulatory properties. Transfer Factor is a dialyzable extract from leukocytes that is believed to transfer cell-mediated immunity from immune donors to recipients. Scientific interest in Transfer Factor for TB peaked in the 1970s–1990s, with several small clinical trials and case reports suggesting some benefit as an adjuvant, particularly in patients with impaired cell-mediated immunity or refractory TB. These studies reported improved delayed-type hypersensitivity responses and, occasionally, more favorable clinical outcomes when Transfer Factor was added to standard anti-TB therapy.

However, the evidence base is weak by modern standards: most studies were uncontrolled, involved small sample sizes, and used variable preparations of Transfer Factor. Systematic reviews and authoritative bodies (e.g., WHO) have not recommended Transfer Factor as standard therapy for TB, owing to insufficient, inconsistent, and low-quality evidence. Moreover, modern TB management emphasizes antimicrobial therapy, and immunomodulators like Transfer Factor are not widely adopted in clinical guidelines.

In summary, while there is a historical scientific rationale and some limited clinical evidence suggesting a possible benefit for Transfer Factor as an adjunct in TB treatment, the overall quality and consistency of evidence is low (rating: 2/5). More rigorous, large-scale randomized controlled trials would be needed to clarify its role, and at present, Transfer Factor is not a mainstream or guideline-supported treatment for tuberculosis.

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Products containing Transfer Factor

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