Objective To know the basic research and the clinical application of cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP) in orthopedic and in other clinical fields. Methods The literature related to CD-RAP in basic research and clinical application were extensively reviewed. Results CD-RAP, as a protein, which is cartilage-specific,could be a marker of the joint diseases. It also can be used to monitor metastsais of melanoma. Conclusion CD-RAP test provides a new way to study repair of cartilage and metastsais of melanoma.