HISTONE DEACETYLASES (HDACS) INHIBITORS

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors are disclosed according to the following structural formula.The moiety A is a benzene ring, optionally substituted. The moiety B is a benzene ring attached at the 1,4 or 1,3 position, or a cyclohexane ring attached at the 1,4 position, optionally substituted. R and Z are further substituents. The HDACs inhibitors possess cytotoxicities to various cancer cell lines. They are useful for treating a tumor associated with deregulation of the activity of histone deacetylases in a subject in need thereof, in one embodiment, the HDACs inhibitors of the invention are useful for treating glioma, breast cancer, colon cancer, target cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma of the lung, small cell lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, ovary adenocarcinoma, pancreas carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, promyiocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, or acute lymphocytic leukemia in a subject in need thereof.