We have designed and synthesized a series of novel hydrazide-based HDAC3 inhibitors, with the representative compound 8ae demonstrating potent HDAC3 inhibitory activity, having an IC50 value of 311 nM (with a selectivity index SI greater than 32 over other HDACs). Compound 8ae also exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity against five types of cancer cells, with an average inhibitory rate IC50 value of 5.036 μM, and was capable of inhibiting the migration, invasion, and wound healing activities of B16-F10 cells. Further studies revealed that 8ae effectively modulates the expression of Ac-H3 within tumor cells and can degrade PD-L1 in tumor cells through the lysosome pathway mediated by cathepsin B (CTSB). Notably, 8ae also possesses favorable pharmacokinetic properties. In in vivo experiments, the combination of 8ae with the PD-L1 inhibitor NP-19 activated the immune system in melanoma-bearing mice, leading to an enhanced anti-tumor immune response (TGI = 65 %). When combined with olaparib, 8ae significantly enhanced tumor suppressive activity (TGI = 88 %) in a breast cancer mouse model and displayed a favorable safety profile. Collectively, 8ae is a promising HDAC3 inhibitor that warrants further exploration in cancer therapeutic strategies.