Disclosed are peptide agents and uses thereof that are analogs of biologically active peptides such as somatostatin and bombesin. The compounds of the invention have the general formula X-Y-Z-Q, where X is a cytotoxic agent, therapeutic agent, detectable label or chelating group, and Q is a biologically active peptide. In peptide agents of the invention Y is optionally a hydrophilic polymer or peptide, and Z is a linking peptide bonded to Q at the amino terminus of Q, having two, three, four, or five, amino acid residues selected to link X to Q, while retaining the biological activity of Q. Methods of using these peptide agents in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases are also disclosed.