An isolated or a synthetic targeting peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8 is disclosed. The targeting peptide may be conjugated to a component selected from the group consisting of polymeric micelles, lipoprotein-based drug carriers, nanoparticle drug carriers, a chemotherapeutic agent, a micelle, a liposome, dendrimers, a polymer, a lipid, an oligonucleotide, a peptide, a polypeptide, a protein, a prostate cancer cell, a stem cell, and an imaging agent. Also disclosed are a kit for imaging and detecting the presence of prostate cancer cells in vivo or in vitro, and a composition for treating prostate cancer, inhibiting prostate cancer cell growth, inducing prostate cancer cell cytotoxicity, and/or increasing the survival rate in a prostate cancer patient.
