Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) like LBH589 have recently been established as novel potent anti-cancer agents for solid and hematologic malignancies. Several pre-clinical reports have shown a good anti-tumoral activity of different HDACi on human or murine HCC models. These compounds, e.g. Trichostatin A, SAHA, MS-275 and others, have been shown to induce apoptosis in HCC cells and to inhibit growth of HCC by inhibiting proliferation and tumor-related angiogenesis in vivo. Furthermore, HDACi sensitize HCC in a synergistic manner to other forms of cytotoxic stimulation, e.g. by conventional chemotherapeutic drugs or TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. It has also been shown that the combination of HDACi with various kinase inhibitors like sorafenib, erlotinib or others, promotes the anti-tumor efficacy of single agents.