In our previous study we developed a novel series of tetrahydroisoquinoline-based hydroxamic acid derivatives as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2010, 18, 1761–1772., J. Med. Chem., 2011, 54, 2823–2838.), among which compound ZYJ-34c (1) was identified and validated as the most potent one with marked in vitro and in vivo antitumor potency (J. Med. Chem., 2011, 54, 5532–5539.). Herein further modification of 1 afforded another oral active analogue ZYJ-34v (2) with simplified structure and lower molecular weight. Biological evaluation of compound 2 showed efficacious inhibition against HDAC1, 2, 3 and 6, which was confirmed by western blot analysis results. Most importantly, compound 2 exhibited similar even more potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities relative to the approved HDAC inhibitor SAHA.