Polyclonal Gammopathy and Lymphoproliferation after Transfer Factor in Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease

Transfer factor was administered to a 10-month-old infant with severe combined immunodeficiency disease in an attempt to stimulate cell-mediated immunity. No change in thymus-dependent lymphocyte function was observed. However, three weeks after transfer factor there was a marked increase in the leukocyte count, with the appearance of mature plasma cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow. The serum IgM rose to 2000 mg per 100 ml; several blood-group antibodies, including anti-i, became detectable. Although the relation of transfer factor to the polyclonal gammopathy may be coincidental, the administration of transfer factor to patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease may induce uncontrolled B-cell proliferation. (N Engl J Med 289:1385–1389, 1973)