Haematologica
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The positive results of high-dose chemotherapy followed by rescue with bone marrow progenitor cell transplantation are generally ascribed to the high dose size (DS) of the drugs given. However, a concomitant marked increase in dose intensity (DI) is always involved. With the aim of comparing the role of DS and DI in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, a variant of Fisher's ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen was designed in which the projected cumulative drug DIs remained the same as in the original schedule but the DSs were tripled. ⋯ The iso-DI sequential variant of the ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen can be considered feasibile, relatively non-toxic, and can be given on an out-patient basis. Limited use of G-CSF is required (about 3 vials after each drug administration). Thus, a randomized trial with the original ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen can be designed.