Abstract: The present disclosure concern fragments of the chondroadherin (CHAD) polypeptide which are generated during the proteolytic cleavage of the third leucine repeat motif of the CHAD polypeptide. Such fragments are generated and thus associated with the onset and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration and can be used to assess the risk of a subject to develop intervertebral disc degeneration or to determine if the subject is afflicted by intervertebral disc degeneration. The fragments can also be used to screen for potential therapeutic agents for preventing, treating and/or alleviating the symptoms associated with intervertebral disc degeneration.