Transfer factor therapy in ataxia--telangiectasia.

The effects of weekly doses of transfer factor in four patients with ataxia--telangiectasia were investigated following a total course of 2 months therapy. Transfer factor administration showed no influence on the absolute lymphocyte counts, T-cell rosettes or antibody titres to EBV, but it caused conversion of skin-test reactivity and production of MIF to various antigens. There was a dissociation in blastic transformation response, the skin-test responses and MIF production. Serum interferon levels were low before, and 2, 6 and 24 hr after, therapy. Clinically no improvement in infections was observed following transfer factor therapy.