Hybrid compounds comprising a first domain and a second domain are provided. The first domain and the second domain are preferably covalently linked, and the first domain comprises a domain which is capable of specific binding to Gb.sub.3; and the second domain comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of drug moiety, a nucleic acid, a probe, a polypeptide, and a hook, with the proviso that the second domain is not a verotoxin or a fragment thereof. Methods of preparing and using the hybrid compounds are also provided.