The present invention relates generally to methods for treating cancer. In one respect, the present invention relates to a method of treating a hematological cancer (e.g., multiple myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma) comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a histone deacetylase inhibitor, for example, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor as described herein, for example, PXD-101. In another respect, the present invention relates to a method of treating cancer (e.g., solid tumor cancer, e.g., rectal cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer; hematological cancer, e.g., multiple myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma) comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a first amount of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, for example, a histone deacetylase inhibitor as described herein, for example, PXD-101, and a second amount of an other chemotherapeutic agent, for example, an other chemotherapeutic agent selected from: an antibody against VEGF, AVASTIN® (bevacizumab), an antibody against CD20, rituximab, bortezomib, thalidomide, dexamethasone, vincristine, doxorubicin, and melphalan, wherein the first and second amounts together comprise a therapeutically effective amount.