Dose intensity and high dose therapy. Two different concepts

“Dose response” refers to a direct relationship between the amount of chemotherapy administered and observed degree of antitumor effect. What is often implied by the term is the administration of pulsed, high dose therapy, resulting in very high peak concentrations. Clinically, this has been translated as multiple alkylating agent‐based regimens requiring intensive supportive care and associated with substantial morbidity and an appreciable mortality risk. Such regimens typically are given as consolidation after an initial period of standard outpatient therapy and may require autologous hematopoietic stem cell support.