title: Transfer factor in treatment of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: A 2-year prospective double-blind trial of the treatment of multiple sclerosis patients with the leucocyte extract, transfer factor (TF), obtained from leucocytes of relatives living with the patient, was conducted. 60 patients with definite MS, of whom 58 completed the trial, were divided into two equal groups, one of which received TF and the other placebo. The groups were evenly balanced with respect to sex ratios, disability, duration of disease, ratio of moderate to severe cases, and HLA phenotype. Neurological, electrophysiological, and immunological assessments were done at the start of the trial and every 6 months thereafter. The results indicated that (1) TF retarded but did not reverse progression of the disease; (2) a significant difference between treatment and placebo groups was not apparent with 18 months after the start of the trial; and (3) treatment was effective only in those patients with mild to moderate disease activity.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010641:Phenotype; D013997:Time Factors; D014165:Transfer Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D014165:Transfer Factor