A mini-peptide and its analogs have been found to target gene products to tumors. The peptide, named Carcinoma Homing Peptide (CHP), increased the tumor accumulation of the reporter gene products in five independent tumor models, including one human xenogeneic model. A CHP-IL-12 fusion gene was also developed using CHP and the p40 subunit of IL-12. The product from CHP-IL-12 fusion gene therapy increased accumulation of IL-12 in the tumor environment. In three tumor models, CHP-IL-12 gene therapy inhibited distal tumor growth. In a spontaneous lung metastasis model, inhibition of metastatic tumor growth was improved compared to wild-type IL-12 gene therapy, and in a squamous cell carcinoma model, toxic liver lesions were reduced. The receptor for CHP was identified as vimentin. CHP can be used to improve the efficacy and safety of targeted cancer treatments.