CASP9 and follicular lymphoma: Since Bcl-2 was initially discovered as an oncoprotein in follicular lymphoma because of its repression of cellular apoptosis,24 it has been considered a critical mediator which controls the intrinsic apoptosis pathway (the Caspase-9/Caspase-3/Caspase-6/Caspase-7 cascade).25 BAX is another member of the Bcl-2 family which has been established as a pro-apoptotic factor.