A Single-Arm Pilot Study With Low-Dose Rituximab Plus Standard Oral Prednisone In Idiopathic Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Inclusion Criteria: * Newly diagnosed "warm" or "cold" AIHA, defined by symptomatic anemia and positive DAT, in the absence of underlying lymphoproliferative, infectious or neoplastic disease (according to the single Center diagnostic criteria). * Idiopathic "warm" or "cold" AIHA relapsed after first line treatment with oral prednisone. * Aged \>18 years * ECOG performance status grade 0, 1 or 2 * No psychiatric illness that precludes understanding concepts of the trial or signing informed consent * Patients who have provided written informed consent prior to study participation, with the understanding that the consent may be withdrawn by the patient at any time without prejudice. Exclusion Criteria: * Cell or humoral immunologic deficit (congenital or acquired) * Any other co-existing medical or psychological condition that would preclude participation in the study or compromise ability to give informed consent * Active bacterial, viral, or fungal infection requiring systemic therapy HIV or HbsAg positive (with HBV-DNA+) or HCV-Ab positive (with HCV-RNA+) patients * History of malignancies within 3 years prior to study entry * Concomitant immunosuppressive or cytotoxic treatment * Positive pregnancy test. Lactation. * The presence of associated organ-specific autoimmune diseases do not constitute exclusion criteria. Previous splenectomy does not constitute exclusion criteria