This is an open-label randomized pilot research study to determine if the study drug, pembrolizumab, is safe to use in combination with a chemotherapy drug called paclitaxel. This study will have the following two regimens: Cohort A) phased regimen of pembrolizumab in which paclitaxel is followed by paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab and Cohort B) concurrent regimen of paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab. A total of 40 evaluable subjects will be enrolled over an enrollment period of 18-24 months. The study is planned to enroll approximately 20 evaluable subjects in each treatment cohort.
The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and feasibility of the following two regimens: Cohort A) phased regimen of pembrolizumab in which paclitaxel is followed by paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab and Cohort B) concurrent regimen of paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab. The primary safety objective is to evaluate the overall grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse event rate for each cohort and compare them to relevant historical controls.