LDHA and neoplasm: The proportion of ALDH+ cells in the Gd@C82(OH)22-treated group was significantly less than PBS-treated group (0.65% versus 2.19%) (Fig. 6e), further verifying the capacity of Gd@C82(OH)22 to diminish the CSC population in vivo. Furthermore, the number and size of tumourspheres generated from (Fig. 6e,f), and the expression levels of SC markers, cells derived from Gd@C82(OH)22-treated tumours were significantly reduced compared with PBS controls (Fig. 5f).