Achievements, challenges and prospects for the development of broadly protective multivalent vaccines and therapeutic antibodies against hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a significant health concern in the Asia-Pacific regions for infants and young children in recent years. However, no vaccines or therapeutics are available at present. The causative agents for HFMD include human enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) and some other viruses. Recently, tremendous progress has been made in the development of monovalent and bivalent vaccines against HFMD. A few neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against EV71 or CVA16 have been identified and characterized. Here, we reviewed some achievements for the development of broadly protective vaccines and neutralizing antibodies against HFMD, and discussed challenges and prospects toward broadly protective multivalent vaccines and therapeutic antibodies against HFMD.