XML Simple transform for special characters

Greetings XML experts,

I am having an issue doing a simple transform (STRANS) in ABAP. I am having issues when some of the content of my elements contain special characters. ex:

<remarks>The sum of 8 is > 6, while 5 < 3</remarks>

<material>ABCD&1234</material>

The special characters <, &, > are not being recognized and causing an exception. Is there some XML command that allows the special characters? Something that I could add to my command ex:

<tt:cond>

     <remarks tt:value-ref="zremarks"/>

</tt:cond>

<tt:cond>

     <material tt:value-ref="zmaterial"/>

</tt:cond>

Thanks!