CPMV loaded with near-infrared dye (Alexa Fluor 647) and PEG, in addition to conjugation with the pan-bombesin analog, [β-Ala11, Phe13, Nle14] bombesin-(7–14), has the ability to specifically target the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, which is known to be highly expressed in human prostate cancers. The gene discussed is GRP; the disease is prostate cancer.