Abstract: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a group of highly heterogeneous non-Hodgkin's lymphomas derived from mature T or NK cells. Most subtypes of PTCL are highly aggressive with rapid growth and poor prognosis. Recently, epigenetic modification has been reported to play an important role in the evolution and progression of cancers, especially PTCL. Therefore, as a novel antineoplastic agent, histone deacetylase inhibitor has already been used in treating PTCL. The histone deacetylase inhibitor with or without chemotherapy or other therapies showed good tolerance and significant efficacy. Several histone deacetylase inhibitors, such as vorinostat, romidepsin, belinostat, and chidamide, have been approved by the FDA or CFDA. This review summarizes the advances of using histone deacetylase inhibitors as an alternative anti-cancer therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PTCL.