CASP3 and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura: We conducted our preliminary study to investigate the possible role of the apoptotic markers (caspase 3, caspase 8 and BCL2) in the pathogenesis and course of newly diagnosed ITP, being markers for both apoptosis pathways (caspase 3 and caspase 8 for the extrinsic pathway while BCL2 for the intrinsic pathway).